Using Technology To Help Your Teen’s Mental Health

Science fiction books and movies have long led us to believe that advancements in technology are the key to improving our lives. In many aspects, we are seeing this today. Technology is a huge part of our lives. While there are many upsides to technology, there is also a fair amount of negativity associated with social media and devices, especially amongst teens. Parents often push to limit the time that their teens spend using social media, the internet in general, and other devices. Certainly, there are concerns surrounding the use of social media platforms and the constant connectivity that your teen seems to crave. There are also really great resources and tools to be found when relying on technology. Particularly when it comes to helping your teen’s mental health and wellbeing.

Virtual school options

While the traditional school setting can provide teens with the structure and guidance they need to thrive, those who struggle with their mental health may not enjoy their time at school. Whether they are being bullied or struggling to keep up with their workload, switching them to a less traditional schooling option can prove helpful. Some school districts offer their students the ability to study at home, going in to meet with a teacher once a week. Other options could be entirely online, with your student needing to meet with teachers using video conferencing programs. Virtual school can allow a teen who is struggling with anxiety, social anxiety, and even depression to still focus on their education in an environment safe for them.

Virtual doctor consults and therapy

Teens who are struggling with their mental health may also have fears about going to get help. Technological and social advancements mean that teens can now have a private consultation and therapy session from the comfort of their home. Using a video app, your teen can speak to their doctor or therapist from home. For teens who may be reluctant to get the help they need for their mental health, this can be an incredible opportunity. Just as is the case with face-to-face medical and mental health professionals, you may need to work with a few to find the perfect fit.

Planning and organizational tools

Whether your teen has ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, or another type of learning challenge, they may benefit from integrating planning and organizational tools into their life. Teens who struggle with learning disabilities could also have depression that makes it even more of a challenge for them to stay organized with schoolwork and other responsibilities. Planning apps and other types of organizational tools will help your teen keep up with school projects, dance classes, doctor appointments, and more. Once your teen can get back some of the control he’s lost, he may start to see an improvement in how he feels.

Mindfulness and meditation apps

You know that your teen can be helped with online therapy. Turning to one or more apps to help with mindfulness and meditation can also prove helpful. Install the apps on your device, too, so that you can go through the programs with your teen. This will help your teen feel a little less alone but will have the bonus of helping your mental wellness. Apps that play soothing meditations to help your teen sleep can also be helpful, particularly if your depressed teenager is also struggling with insomnia. Don’t forget to help create a calming environment that can encourage sleep. Minimize the use of other devices that can be a distraction to someone trying to unwind and doze off.

Apps to minimize distractions

Teens who are depressed or have anxiety can often struggle to stay on task, particularly if they have ADHD. We’re all guilty of getting side-tracked by social media, the news, and other online sources of distraction like games. For a teen who is struggling with their mental health, an app that can remove the distractions while they focus on other priorities can be helpful. Whether it’s locking their smartphone until after homework is caught up or blocking their browser until they’re done with chores, there are plenty of options that can help to better focus their attention.

Apps to empower

If your teen could benefit from a pep talk or a reminder of their strengths, it can be helpful to find an app to give them just that. Apps that encourage teens to explore their strengths can provide quite the ego boost to a teen struggling with self-confidence. Whether that involves playing games that allow them to show off their sudoku or crossword puzzle needs, any app that encourages your teen to show off his skills is sure to be a good one. It can be tempting to give in to your troubled teen if he makes claims that his gaming consoles or more time on social media will make him feel better. In small doses, video games and social media scrolling can be harmless. The concern is that teens who struggle with mental health may spend too much time focused on these unhealthy activities and areas of life. We all respond to different solutions when it comes to our mental wellness. You might prefer to disconnect entirely, while your teen prefers to lean into everything that technology can offer. If your teen is struggling with his mental health, and your other efforts to help him have thus far proven unsuccessful, you may find that a residential treatment center can help. There, your teen will be connected with the focused therapy that can help him recover and heal from the mental health concerns casting a dark shadow over what should be the best years of his life.