UBCNews - Business - How to Help Your Teenager Overcome Depression: Steps For Concerned Families

Episode Date: December 3, 2025

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that affects so many families - teen depression. You know, around 1 in 10 young people will experience feelings of depression, stress, or anxiety by the time they reach 18. That's a lot of teens struggling. Mission Prep City: San Juan Capistrano Address: 30310 Rancho Viejo Rd. Website: https://missionprephealthcare.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that affects so many families. Teen Depression. You know, around 1 in 10, young people will experience feelings of depression, stress, or anxiety by the time they reach 18. That's a lot of teens struggling. It really is, and as a parent,

seeing your child in pain like that can feel overwhelming. But here's the good news. If diagnosed and addressed early enough, these negative feelings are much less likely to recur in later. life. That's such an important point. Early intervention makes all the difference. So let's start with recognition.

What should parents be looking for? What are the symptoms that signal this might be depression and not just typical teenage mood swings? Great question. You'll want to watch for several warning signs. Changes in sleep patterns, decreased energy paired with a sad or anxious mood, significant changes in appetite or weight, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. But the most serious symptoms include thoughts of death or suicide. Hmm-hmm.

That's critical. So once a parent recognizes these symptoms, what's the most important first step they can take? Talking to your child is the most important first step. I know that sounds simple, but it requires careful planning. You want to choose the right time and place, keep it simple, and talk to them on their level. Let them know you're worried and that you want to help. And I imagine the setting really matters here. You can't just force this conversation, right?

right? Exactly. Don't rush it. Choose a time and place where both of you feel comfortable. Start with open-ended questions like what's on your mind rather than yes or no questions. Allow your child to open up in the way they feel comfortable without being judgmental. That makes sense. Now, let's talk about something really difficult.

Suicide and self-harm. If a parent is worried about this, should they actually ask directly about it? Absolutely. It's always better to ask you. It's always better to ask than ignore it. You can ask clearly and gently, are you thinking of killing yourself? If the answer is yes. Ask if they have a plan.

If they do have a plan, the risk level is higher. Asking about suicide is not the same as suggesting it to them. Letting them know you care is better than not asking at all. I see makes sense. Now, those difficult conversations about asking directly, that really underscores when professional help becomes necessary. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If your teenager is struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges,

mission prep offers structured adolescent mental health programs designed specifically for teens and their families. With residential treatment, intensive outpatient services, and family therapy at locations in California and Virginia, they treat the entire family system using evidence-based approaches like recovery-oriented cognitive therapy. Their programs include weekly individual therapy, daily clinical mentoring, and biweekly family therapy. Learn more at mission prephealthcare.com. Picking up on those difficult conversations, how do you handle the situation when immediate professional intervention becomes necessary?

If you're worried about any risk of suicide or self-harm, you should not hesitate to seek professional advice and support. Professional help is available to young people experiencing difficult times. School nurses, university counselors, your GP and national mental health helplines can all provide guidance and support. Right. And for visiting a GP, what should parents know going in? When you contact your surgery, ask if there's a GP who specializes in mental health. Book a double appointment so you have more time to discuss symptoms and concerns fully. Your child may be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess severity, and the GP may suggest a more detailed assessment by a mental health special.

What happens after that initial assessment? Well, therapies and treatments vary depending on individual circumstances. There is watchful monitoring where the situation is closely monitored before commencing treatment. Then there's talking therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an evidence-based form of talk therapy that can be particularly effective for adolescence. The therapist and young person work together to address unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. beyond professional help, what can parents do day to day to support their teen? Keep family routines as normal as possible.

Young people often say, I just wanted friends and family to treat me normally. Maintaining ordinary everyday activities and planning small events to look forward to provides positive distractions. A peaceful and caring home environment can make a big positive difference. So we're basically saying, uh, don't turn into a walking therapy manual around your kid, right? Exactly, they still need you to be their parent, not their clinician. I remember working with a family where the mom started using clinical language constantly. How are your coping mechanisms today?

The teen finally said, Mom, can you just ask if I want pizza? Sometimes normal is the best medicine. That's a perfect example. And here's something we don't talk about enough. Parent self-care. How important is it for parents to look after themselves while supporting a depressed teen? It's really vital. Don't forget about yourself during this time or overlook the ripple effect that depression can have on your wider family. Your well-being is essential for effectively helping your child.

Your own mental health directly impacts your ability to support them. It's the same principle, just stated differently. Make time for yourself and consider positive lifestyle changes that benefit everyone. That's really important. What about situations where the teen refuses help altogether? That happens more often than you'd think. You can still see a GP for help and advice for yourself, even if your child won't go. Speak with pastoral staff at your child's school.

They're used to dealing with parental inquiries. You can also make self-help information available, like resources from organizations focused on young people's mental health so they can read in private. Peer support can be valuable too, right? Absolutely. Online communities provide platforms for young people to speak with others experiencing similar feelings, which can reduce isolation, sometimes hearing from another teen who's been through it carries more weight than anything a parent can say. So to everyone listening, what's the one

takeaway you want parents to remember from this conversation? Have you ever felt completely lost trying to help your teen? Depression is common, and it can be helped. Early diagnosis and intervention mean these negative feelings are much less likely to recur in later life. In other words, acting now genuinely changes the outcome. Keep speaking with your child, keep reassuring them, and don't hesitate to seek support when you need it. Together, families can move through this. Beautifully said, thank you so much for sharing all this guidance today. To our listeners, remember that help is available, conversations matter, and early action can change the trajectory of your teen's mental health. Thanks for tuning in.