Introduction
Children and teens experience a wide range of emotions as they grow.
Stress, frustration, sadness, and worry are a normal part of development.
However, when emotional or behavioral changes become intense, persistent, or interfere with daily life, they may be signs that a young person needs additional support.
This guide is designed to help parents and caregivers:
- Recognize common signs of depression, anxiety, and suicidality
- Understand when to be concerned and when to seek help
- Learn how to talk with their child in a supportive way
- Know what resources are available
You do not need to have all the answers.
Your attention, care, and willingness to seek support can make a powerful difference.
Understanding Youth Mental Health
Youth mental health refers to a child or adolescent’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing.
It influences how they think, feel, behave, cope with stress, and relate to others.
What Mental Health Is:
- Emotional regulation
- This is how well a person can handle their feelings in healthy ways.
- Coping skills
- These are skills that help a person handle hard situations, stress, and trauma.
- Sense of self-worth and purpose
- Ability to connect with others
What Mental Health IS NOT:
- A sign of weakness
- A reflection of “bad parenting”
- Something youth can simply “snap out of”
Mental health challenges are common among children and teens; they can affect anyone, regardless of background, family structure, or academic/social success.
Important things to remember:
- Mental health concerns arise from multiple influences, including genetics, life experiences, and social environments, not parenting by itself.
- Youth usually cannot simply “snap out of it.”
- Support and treatment are effective.
- Early help often leads to better outcomes.