The Teen Mental Health Playbook: Tips Every Parent Needs
Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.
Parenting a teenager can feel like navigating uncharted waters, especially when it comes to mental health. In this engaging and practical webinar, we dive into the most effective strategies for supporting your teen’s emotional well-being in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world.
Learn how to recognize early warning signs of mental health struggles, foster open communication, and create a home environment that nurtures resilience and confidence. Whether your teen is thriving or facing challenges, this playbook is designed to empower parents with tools that truly make a difference.
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Audience Questions
Holly S. Peek, MD, MPH, shares actionable tips and insights to help you better understand your teen’s needs while balancing boundaries and independence.
- When it comes to mental health, why are the teenage years so important?
- What’s at stake in terms of development during these teenage years?
- What are some of the specific challenges that teens face as they go through this phase of their life?
- To many of us, the world seems to be speeding up. How is that impacting teens today?
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on today’s youth?
- What are the most common mental health challenges that a teen might face?
- How critical is early intervention when mental health challenges are spotted in a teen?
- How can a parent tease out mental health challenges from typical teen moodiness?
- What are some red flags to watch out for when it comes to anxiety disorders?
- How common are eating disorders among teens?
- What are some signs of eating disorders that parents can watch for?
- What are some signs of personality disorders that parents can be on the lookout for?
- What do parents need to know about teen substance use?
- What can parents watch for in terms of mood disorders like depression?
- If parents find themselves in a moment of crisis intervention, what are some important steps that they can take immediately?
- What are some thresholds parents should watch for that might suggest it’s time to bring in a professional?
- What is some advice for parents looking to take first steps in getting mental health treatment for their teen? How can a parent search for a therapist?
- What can effective treatment look like for teens?
- What is some guidance for parents struggling to communicate with their teens?
- What are some tips to help teens feel comfortable sharing with their parents?
- Are there specific strategies that parents can use to guide emotional development for their teens?
- How can parents know where to draw the line of solving their teen’s problems for them?
- How does a parent walk that line between validating what their teen might be feeling and condoning a behavior or thinking process?
- How can parents support their children’s self-esteem?
- What guidance do you have for parents responding to negative self-talk from their teen?
- How can parents navigate adjusting the boundaries of independence with their teen?
- How can parents of teens manage their own self-care?
- What are some suggestions for parents who feel they may need some extra support?
- How can parents help teens navigate being bullied at school or elsewhere?
- What are some tips for parents to limit screen time in a realistic way?
- How can parents navigate their teen’s interest in dating?
- What can parents do to help their teens navigate academic pressures?
- What role can siblings play in helping a teenager get through these difficult years?
The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.
Resources
You may also find this information useful:
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
- Understanding Child & Teen Mental Health: What Every Adult Should Know
- Child and Teen Anxiety: An Introduction
- Parent’s Guide to College Student Mental Health
- Video: Helping Kids Thrive Mentally and Emotionally – A Guide for Parents
- Video: Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Disorders in Teens
- Scrolling and Stress: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
- Video: Addressing and Overcoming Test Anxiety
- Teens, Drugs, and Alcohol: What Parents and Caregivers Should Know
- Video: Successfully Supporting Someone With Mental Health Challenges
- When Teens Turn to Self-Harm: Signs, Support, and Hope
About Holly Peek
Holly S. Peek, MD, MPH, is a psychiatrist at McLean Hospital and a lecturer on psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School. She is board certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Peek works in private practice where she specializes in child, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy and medication evaluation and management.
