Mental health is essential to every teen's well-being. Fifteen-year-olds are navigating complex emotional landscapes as they develop into young adults, and these experiences can impact their mental health. Just like physical health, mental health requires attention, and it's vital to equip teens with skills to support their resilience and emotional well-being.

Teens between the ages of 15 and 19 are going through many transitions, including increased academic demands, evolving friendships, and forming their identities. These changes can be overwhelming, and teens can find the changes difficult without proper tools to manage emotions. Your guidance as a parent or someone in a parenting role is crucial in helping them learn how to maintain mental health and build emotional resilience.

In some cases, intense stressors such as family mental health issues or trauma can impact a teen’s mental health. If you or your teen has experienced such difficulties, seeking external support from professionals is important. However, the steps outlined here can help your teen develop everyday skills to navigate mental health challenges and build resilience.

Whether it's your teen feeling anxious about an upcoming test, overwhelmed by social dynamics, or dealing with low self-esteem, attending to mental health is essential. In the short term, teaching mental health awareness skills can foster:

● Increased confidence in managing emotions and maintaining balance

● Better connections with family, friends, and peers by improving communication and understanding

● Greater self-awareness and emotional regulation

In the longer term, your teen can develop:

● Emotional awareness and the ability to understand and articulate their feelings

● Resilience in facing life's challenges and stressors

● Healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns

This five-step process[1] will guide you and your teen through strategies to support mental health, increase emotional resilience, and build lifelong skills.

Tip: Intentional communication[2] and actively growing a healthy parenting relationship[3] will support these steps.

Engage your teen in a conversation about their mental health. By asking open-ended questions, you give them the opportunity to reflect on their emotions and experiences. This process promotes self-awareness and encourages them to identify areas they want to work on.

Questions to Ask:

● “What emotions have been the hardest for you to manage recently?”

● “Can you describe times when you feel[4] anxious or overwhelmed?”

● “What do you do when you’re feeling down or frustrated?”

● “What do you do when your emotions feel out of control?”

Active Listening: Practice active listening by paraphrasing their feelings to show understanding, e.g., “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed...