In the conclusion of our conversation with our guest, Natalie Alyssa Sanchez, recent high school graduate and advocate for teenage mental health, we learn about where teens get advice and who they confide in.  Additionally, we get the skinny on how to talk to your teen.  There are a lot of things happening in the worlds of young people. Teens face academic pressure in a way that is different from most generations before them… and then there’s all the NORMAL pressure teens face to be “pretty” or “cool” or just to somehow fit in.  These things take a toll on teen mental health.  If a teen doesn’t feel comfortable talking with a parent, they’ll likely reach out to a friend or often times strangers on the internet.  This carries with it some additional risks that teens may need tools to navigate.

Parents can can learn how to better talk to their teen by focusing in on the desired outcome, not on the specific behavior. For example, if your teen has started oversleeping and is missing class. It might be more effective to ask them what has changed that is causing them to oversleep. A parent could also ask what might be done to support them in getting back on track, rather than solely punishing the child for oversleeping. While it may be hard to withhold judgement, learning to hear your teen out may help get you closer to your goals for the household, a happy teen who knows they can turn to you for help.  This week’s blog expands on that topic, “Better Communication with Your Teen: When Grounding Is Not Enough.”