Navigating Teen Mental Health

🧠 One thing I believe that most parents can agree on is that parenting can be hard!  From the moment you bring your baby home from the hospital, you start questioning what to do and what they need. You spend years of watching your child grow up trying to figure out what they need and how to make the best decisions for them along the way.  So it should come as no surprise that you don't know exactly what to do if your teen begins to struggle later during adolescence. It's hard to know if and when you may need to seek out therapy for your teen.  Here are a few signs that your teen may need additional support and seeking out therapy for them may be necessary.

Understanding the Signs and Knowing When to Reach Out for Help:

Teenagers go through enormous changes—physically, emotionally, and socially. It's normal for them to have ups and downs, but how do you know when your teen is struggling with more than just growing pains?

As parents and caregivers, you know your child best. If you’ve noticed changes in your teen that feels “off” or persistent, it may be time to consider speaking with a therapist.

1. Big Mood Swings or Persistent Sadness

Teens are emotional—it’s part of the package. But if your teen seems constantly overwhelmed, hopeless, or deeply sad for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of depression or anxiety. Pay attention to intense irritability or anger that doesn’t match the situation.

2. Withdrawing from Friends or Family

It’s developmentally normal for teens to pull away a bit—but if your teen is completely isolating, avoiding friends or refusing to talk with family members, it might signal emotional distress.

3. Changes in Sleep or Appetite

Is your teen sleeping much more or much less than usual? Has their appetite significantly increased or decreased? These physical shifts often show up when a young person is under emotional stress.

4. Drop in Academic Performance

Sudden struggles with school, missing assignments, or a steep drop in grades can indicate that something’s going on beneath the surface. Trouble concentrating, lack of motivation, or school refusal may point to mental health challenges.

5. Self-Harming Behaviors or Risk-Taking

Behaviors like cutting, substance use, reckless driving, or unprotected sex may be attempts to cope with pain. These are serious signs that professional support is needed.

6. Talking About Death or Suicide

If your teen is expressing thoughts of not wanting to be alive, or making statements like “no one would miss me,” take it seriously—no matter how subtle. Immediate support from a licensed therapist or crisis service is crucial.

🛠️ What Therapy Can Offer Your Teen

A safe, nonjudgmental space to talk

Skills to manage stress, emotions, and relationships

Support for navigating identity, school pressure, or family changes

Tools to build resilience and confidence

❤️ You're Not Alone

Seeking help doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent—it means you’re showing up with love and strength. At Stronger Together, we specialize in working with teens and families to create a safe path forward.

If you’re wondering whether therapy is the right step, we offer free phone consultations to talk it through.

👉 Schedule a Consultation

📍 7801 Folsom Blvd Suite 208, Sacramento, CA 95826 

📞 916-538-9915

✉️ admin@strongertogethercounseling.com