Talking to Your Teen About Anxiety & Depression
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
Talking to your teen about anxiety and depression may seem difficult and intimidating, but Chapa-De can help you navigate such an important conversation.
Adolescence causes many changes in a teenager’s body and brain. This can affect how they think, learn, interact, and behave. This causes emotional ups and downs, which is considered “normal” in teenage years. However, if your teen has been struggling emotionally for an extended period of time, it can be a sign that they are experiencing anxiety and/or depression.
General Warning Signs
If you suspect that your teenager may be suffering from a mental health problem, there are signs and indicators to look out for. These can include:
- Mood changes – increased sadness or irritability
- Feeling hopeless
- Recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life
- Tearfulness or crying
- Isolation or withdrawal from social activities
- Extreme self-consciousness or sensitivity to criticism
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in appetite and eating habits
- Trouble concentrating
- Increased fatigue
- Suicidal thoughts
To learn more about mental health warning signs, click HERE.
Ways You and Chapa-De Can Provide Support
Let your teen know you are there for them. For a teenager to open up, it is important they know they can tell you anything. Ask them questions about their feelings. If you have related to anything similar, share your own experience with anxiety or depression. This will help normalize talking about mental health and lets your teen know that things can get better. If your teen brings up suicide or thoughts of death, call their doctor.
Treatment is available for those who are struggling, and Chapa-De is here to support your teen throughout the process. We have a team of psychiatrists and therapists who are available to treat and educate or to connect you with more intensive services if necessary. Our practitioners are there every step of the way.
If your teenager is suffering from mental health issues, let them know they are not alone. You and their provider are here to help and support them in whatever way they need.
Learn more about how Chapa-De can help HERE.
For more information about Chapa-De, call our Auburn location at (530) 887-2800 or our Grass Valley location at (530) 477-8545 or visit us online at chapa-de.org.
PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.
Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community Members
