Understand Importance

It is important for parents to
understand that good emotional
& mental health is important in
helping to strengthen a teenager’s
capacity for relationships,
improve educational attainment,
promote social inclusion, expand
opportunities & improve general
health & wellbeing.

Healthy Relationships

Good relationships can be positive
& reassuring, whereas difficult
ones can be negative & upsetting.
Relationship-building involves social
skills. Parents can help teenagers
develop these skills by ensuring they
have ample opportunities through
sharing, appreciation of diversity,
consistent routines, collaboration
& opportunities to connect with
others. It’s important to encourage
teenagers to forge solid connections,
to learn about give-&-take and
conflict resolution.

Manage Emotions

Talking about emotions can be an effective
way to deal with them. Listen carefully
to what your teen has to say. Give them
the time & space they need to put their
feelings in perspective, and learn to
regulate them. Teenagers who can manage
their emotions are stronger, they are ready
to welcome learning experiences, ask
questions, and to discover new, creative, &
comprehensive ways of thinking about the
world around them.

Remember the givens!

There are certain non-negotiables
that encourage healthy teenage
development & sustain their
well-being for example, safety,
unconditional love, sensible & fair
guidance, connectivity, honesty.

Support

Teens need supportive environments
when experiencing poor mental
health. Support for mental health
problems is available. Be open to
seek help, from professionals not just
for your teenager but for you as the
parent, as well.

Self-Esteem

Teenagers often face uncertainties,
they have to cope with competitive
environments, challenging situations,
meeting difficult expectations, etc. Many
teens struggle with confidence. Help them
believe in themselves. Reinforcement and
encouragement from parents can go a
long way towards strengthening teenager’s
self-esteem, and instilling feelings such as
optimism & relief.