Family plays a significant role in shaping teenagers’ mental health. Positive family relationships can provide emotional support, stability, and a sense of belonging, which are essential for psychological well-being. Conversely, conflict, neglect, or a lack of communication within the family can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression in teenagers. Understanding how family effects teenagers’ mental health is crucial for identifying ways to support and improve adolescent well-being.

If your adolescent is struggling with mental health challenges, Valor Behavioral Health is here to help. Call us today or visit our admissions page to take the first step toward healing and support for your family.

How Family Affects Teenagers’ Mental Health

The most recent edition of the CDC’s annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) revealed the following about teen mental health in 2023:

• 40% of all high school students – including 65% of LGBTQIA+ students – said they had experienced “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” during the past year. 
• 19% of male students and 41% of female students said they had struggled with poor mental health in the previous 30 days.
• 20% of students reported that they had seriously considered suicide, 16% said they had developed a plan for ending their own life, and 9% said they had made at least one suicide attempt.

Family is by no means sole the determinant of a teenager’s mental health. Social media use, bullying, racism, gender-based harassment, and violence are just a few of the many other influential factors. 

Though parents can’t shield their children from every threat to their mental health, they play a vital role in determining how these issues affect their teens. This underscores how family effects teenagers’ mental health by shaping their ability to cope with stressors and build resilience.

On the positive side, parents and other caregivers can bolster teens’ resiliency by taking steps such as:

• Having open and honest discussions about the issues that affect teen mental health
• Listening to their teen’s concerns without judgment or criticism
• Resisting the urge to micromanage their lives or solve all their problems for them
• Demonstrating the value of self-care
• Teaching them to recognize signs of mental health challenges in themselves and others
• Helping them develop effective stress-management and conflict-resolution skills
• Letting them know that help is available, and that there’s no shame in asking for assistance

Conversely, certain family actions can exacerbate teen mental health challenges, highlighting how family effects teenagers’ mental health in negative ways:

• Brushing off their concerns as “just a phase” or nothing to worry about
• Refusing to talk about mental health problems due to a fear that doing so will “put ideas into their head”
• Lecturing them instead of having open and honest discussions
• Punishing them for behaviors that may be symptoms of a mental health disorder
• Referring to mental illnesses as personality flaws or signs of weakness
• Using derogatory terms when speaking of people who seek mental health treatment

Signs That Your Teen Is Struggling With Their Mental Health

If you’re concerned about your teen’s mental health, watch for significant changes in their behavior or other out-of-the-ordinary developments, such as:

• Dramatic shifts in mood, attitude, and energy 
• Noticeable alterations in appetite and sleep patterns
• Drop in performance at school for no apparent reason
• Reducing or ending their participation in sports, clubs, hobbies, or other pursuits that used to be important to them
• Becoming uncharacteristically argumentative, aggressive, or even violent
• Ignoring their appearance, grooming, and/or hygiene
• Spending less and less time with family and friends
• Using alcohol or other drugs
• Cuts, bruises, or other injuries that never seem to fully heal, which can be a sign that they’ve been engaging in self-harm
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants, even in warm weather, which can be a way to hide evidence of self-harm
• Always wearing baggy or shapeless clothing, which can be an attempt to camouflage weight loss due to an eating disorder

Of course, many potential signs of teen mental health crises – such as mood swings, withdrawing from family, and losing interest in activities that they previously enjoyed — are also typical experiences for many adolescents and teenagers. 

This is where your knowledge of your child comes into play. If you suspect that what they’re going through isn’t “just a phase,” don’t ignore that feeling. Talk to them about what you’ve observed. If you’re not satisfied with the results of that conversation, it may be time to schedule an assessment.

Having your child evaluated by a qualified mental health professional can help you determine if they’re dealing with a concern that is best addressed with professional treatment.

The Family’s Role in Teen Mental Health Treatment

Family members, especially parents or other adult caregivers, have important roles to play before, during, and after a teen gets mental health treatment.

Before Your Teen Enters Treatment

The effort to ensure that your teen has the best possible experience in treatment can begin long before they actually enter a program. Here are three ways you can make a positive difference at this stage: 

• Create an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding within your family, so that your children won’t view mental health treatment as something to be ashamed of. 
• Take the time to evaluate treatment options. Teen mental health programming can vary considerably from one treatment center to another. Focus on finding a provider whose services and approach align with your child’s needs and meet your standards.
• Set realistic expectations. Treatment can have a life-changing impact, it can take time for that impact to be fully realized. Don’t expect your child’s symptoms or challenges to disappear overnight. 

While Your Teen Is in Treatment

When your teen is in treatment, they will work with professionals who are experts in their chosen fields. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be involved in their care. Here are three points to keep in mind:

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or advocate for your child. Any reputable treatment center will be happy to listen to your concerns and provide you with the answers you need, so that you can continue to make informed decisions about your child’s care.
• Participate in any family support services that the treatment center provides. Family therapy or educational sessions can help you process how you have been affected by your child’s mental health struggles and learn how to best support your child moving forward. 
• Remember those realistic expectations that you set before your child entered treatment. Regardless of how much initial progress a teenager makes, the path to better mental health is neither short nor straightforward. Prepare for both successes and setbacks.  

After Your Teen Has Completed Treatment

Once your teen has completed their mental health treatment, they will need ongoing support to maintain and build on the progress they made while they were receiving care. Here are a few examples of how you can help:

• Follow the discharge guidance that your teen’s treatment team provides. Depending on your child’s progress and continued need, this guidance may include information about self-care, referrals to professional resources, and details about peer support groups.
• Consider getting professional help for yourself. Family therapy at your teen’s treatment center doesn’t have to be the extent of your therapeutic experience. Continuing to speak with a therapist or counselor can help you maintain your own mental health, which will allow you to offer the most meaningful support to your teenager.
• Yes, we’re going to talk about realistic expectations one more time. Continue to focus on small steps and short-term goals. 

Learn More About Teen Mental Health Treatment in Atlanta

Valor Behavioral Health offers customized outpatient treatment for teenagers who have been living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

At our mental health treatment center in Atlanta, young people can receive personalized care at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels. We work closely with each patient and their family to develop an individualized plan that addresses the full scope of their mental health needs.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment for your teen, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.