The Parent’s Guide to Teen Substance Use and Mental Health

When you first suspect your child might be struggling with drugs or mental health, your heart drops. It’s a mixture of fear, confusion, and disbelief. At Tulip Hill Healthcare, a network of addiction and mental health treatment facilities, we get it. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help you see the way out.

Today’s teens are under more pressure than ever with school, sports, social media, friends, and the race to get into a good college. As a parent, it can feel almost impossible to keep up. At the same time, the decaying state of family and community life in the United States and social media addiction are prominent factors unique to this generation that spur mental health problems and increase chances of adolescents seeking unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Normal teen development can make it hard to spot signs of mental health struggles or substance use, even for highly-involved parents.

There are almost infinite reasons why a teen may be abusing substances or struggling with mental health, many of which can be beyond the control of a well-meaning parent. 

You may be here because there are obvious signs of these things in your child’s life and you may be very scared. That’s normal and justified. We’re here to point the way out, and show you how it can be okay.

Whether coming out of curiosity or some suspicion, we’re happy that you want to learn more about not just warning signs, but also how to prevent drug use in teens and mental health disorders. No one is beyond falling into addiction or a mental health crisis. The more you know, the better you can prevent problems or spot warning signs you might have previously missed. Additionally, confronting the possibility that your child could be experiencing this is very difficult. Nonetheless, early intervention is critical. Many severe mental health issues and drug addictions among adults stem from adolescence. So, making an effort to nip this in the bud is very important.

What is drug addiction/substance use disorder, and how is it affecting teens today?

The Mayo Clinic defines drug addiction, or substance use disorder as, “a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine.”1

Addiction can compel use despite negative effects. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are also considered drugs. How quickly someone becomes addicted is based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the kind of drug, genetic factors, and accessibility.

Fast Stats On Teen Drug Addiction

Here are some quick statistics on substance abuse amongst teens in the United States to help get a lay of the land:

• Drug overdose deaths: From 2019 to 2022, doubled among adolescents from 1.3 per 100,000 to 3.2 per 100,000 making it the third leading cause of death among U.S. adolescents.2
• Alcohol: 12.9% of eighth graders reported use in the past 12 months, 26.1% in 10th graders, and 41.7% of 12th graders.3
• Cannabis: In the past 12 months, 7.2% of eight graders reported use, 15.9% of 10th graders, and 25.8% of 12th graders.
• Nicotine Vaping: 21% of 12th graders reported use in the past 12 months.
• E-Cigarette: 1.63 million (5.9%) teens currently use e-cigarettes.4
• Illicit drug use other than marijuana: In the past 12 months, 3.4% of eighth graders reported use, 4.4% of 10th graders, and 6.5% of 12th graders.
• Binge drinking: In the past month, 9% of high school students reported.5
• Select illicit or injection drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or ecstasy): 15% of teens reported use.6
• Prescription Opioid Misuse: 14% of teens reported use.
  

Key takeaways:

• Chance of substance use increases as teenagers get older
• Nearly 1 out of 5 sophomores will consume alcohol within the past year, and over 2 out of 5 high school seniors will.
• Nearly 1 in every 10 high school students will have binge drank alcohol within the past month.
• Fifteen percent of teens have had some experience with “hard drugs.”

What are the causes of teen substance use disorder?

Being more aware of the causes can help you identify signs your child is using drugs. If you know they have risk factors, then you will be more vigilant for signs.

Understanding your child’s family relationships, life experiences, social circles, and personal challenges is one of the most important steps in preventing, or addressing, substance use.

It is common for addiction to substances to be attributable to multiple factors. The situations, experiences, and temptations that lead to addiction are just as unique as every individual is. So, treatment is never a one-size-fits-all solution.

That being said, the National Institutes of Health have identified three categories of risk factors. They also note a couple of aspects of adolescent brain development that can make teens more predisposed to substance use.

The adolescent brain is still developing,7 and this could make teens more likely to engage in riskier behavior. This explains why teens could be more vulnerable to addiction than adults. The NIH says,

“Changes to the areas of the brain responsible for social processes can lead teens to focus more on peer relationships and social experiences. The emphasis on peer relationships, along with ongoing prefrontal cortex development, might lead teens to take more risks because the social benefits outweigh the possible consequences of a decision.”8

Teenagers are naturally drawn to look beyond their families for social development. As we will see later, the pressure from peers for teens can be quite significant.

The previously mentioned three categories of risk factors for adolescent substance use are: familial, social, and individual factors.

Familial Risk Factors

Children who have experienced abuse, whether that be physical, sexual, or emotional, run a higher risk of substance abuse, with one study showing that 29% of children who have been abused have had some level of substance use. Those who have dealt with such abuse often resort to substances to cope with the stress and manage the pain of the memories. 

The NIH also points out that more passive forms of abuse, specifically neglect, can run similar rates of risk as more active forms of abuse.

While it’s classified as a familial risk, child abuse in any form can increase risk. It’s important to be aware of this risk and consider professional help for healing if your child has experienced abuse in the past—regardless of suspected substance abuse or mental health issues.

Social Risk Factors

The article calls “deviant peer relationships” a significant risk factor for youths. Just like it sounds, deviant peer relationships are people a teen may befriend who are using substances and the relationships can be influential to the child. Peer pressure and teen substance use are very often linked. Thankfully, “positive parent-child relationships [are] a protective factor” against deviant peer relationships, the article states.

Similarly, peer pressure and popularity factor into risk for substance use. There is a higher rate of substance use among teens who self-identify as popular as opposed to those who don’t. 

These relationships and social dynamics do not guarantee substance use, but they do typically increase the risk. Assessing your child’s social life will likely help you gain insight into their personal risk or whether a suspicion of substance use is true.

Along the lines of assessing a child’s social life includes an awareness of bullying. This has been shown as a reliable sign that indicates increased chances of substance use—both for the victim and the bully.

Gang affiliation is perhaps the only social risk factor stronger than deviant peer relationships. The association of substance use and gang affiliation is “significant”. Again, though, positive parent relationships are a strong protector against it.

Individual Risk Factors

Many of the risk factors for adolescents are external, but there are a couple of individual risk factors. Teens with diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mental illness are shown to have a higher risk of substance abuse. 

Depression and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are among the most prevalent as raising a risk for substance use. Depression has a negative effect on the brain’s natural reward system, so substances can be particularly attractive as a way to compensate.

Further Risk Factors

Changing family dynamics can increase the risk for substance use disorder. Many studies have shown that children of divorce are more likely to develop a dependency on substances, or substance use disorder.9 10 11

Additionally, one study found that children who have experienced the loss of a parent are at greater risk for substance abuse.12

A potentially surprising risk factor for substance abuse is sustaining an injury. Potentially addictive painkillers may be prescribed after a person has sustained an injury or has received surgery. Opioid, or narcotic, painkillers may be prescribed to reduce serious pain. There is a risk of addiction, in fact, “Injured adolescents have a 56% increased risk of developing a substance use disorder within 3 years of their injury,” one NIH study found.13

Many may resort to street drugs like heroin if they have developed an addiction but their prescription has run out.

Social Media & Mass Media Influence On Substance Use

Social media influence on teen drug use is real and serious. It has the ability to amplify peer pressure to a level that society is still learning how to navigate. Proliferation and glorification of substance use on social media is a huge problem. One study published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found “a significant relationship exists between exposure to substance-related social media content and use of drugs and alcohol.”14 

Tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and e-cigarette companies have capitalized on the regulatory gray areas of social media, likely increasing the odds of teen exposure to these substances.15 What’s more is that sellers of illegal drugs have found clever workarounds via social media to more easily connect with buyers.

It’s worth mentioning that music, TV, and movies popular among young people glorify substance use. These messages can influence teens, so it is important to be aware of their contents.

Important WARNING for Parents:

It is quite common for kids to get their hands on drugs and alcohol by taking what belongs to their parents, often without their parents’ knowledge. Be sure to secure any of your own prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products, or any other substances to guard against your child taking any of it. Consider locking them away because many kids in search of substances can find them even if they are hidden away.

Key Takeaways

• Traumatic experiences are significant risk factors for substance use disorder among teens, especially committed by family members.
• Disruptions in family dynamics can increase a child’s risk.
• Teens are heavily influenced by peers, so peers can play a huge role in the likelihood of using substances.
• Prescription narcotics can be a gateway to developing substance dependency.
• If you have anything a child shouldn’t be using, then be sure to secure it from them.
• Numerous sources indicate that healthy parent-child relationships are strong protectors against substance use disorder.

A child having any of these risk factors can be very heartbreaking. It is completely understandable to fall into ways of thinking that, while seemingly compassionate or reasonable, are unhelpful, such as downplaying the likelihood of substance use despite having one or many of these risk factors or allowing fear to cause despair or overbearing actions towards a child. 

Knowledge, avoiding extreme thinking and reactions, and hope are all key here. Knowing the risk factors already sets parents in a great position to guard against substance use. A strong, loving relationship that’s balanced with trust and healthy independence can be one of the best defenses against serious risks. Hope, most of all, goes a long way. Even if the worst fears are true, countless teens have found healing, success, and redemption. And the same care for a child that brings a parent to read a resource guide like this will surely go a long way in that child’s life.

What are the signs of substance use in teens?

The difficulty in judging the behavior of your teen is that there is a little bit of overlap between teen development and a couple of signs of substance use. Being a teenager can feel very awkward. Suddenly a bubbly child may become more reserved as they grow more self aware and value their social standing more. An outgoing child may grow a deeper need to seek solitude for processing and rejuvenation, but could come off as isolating. 

The point is that one or even a few of these signs may not indicate substance abuse. Thankfully, there are more obvious signs of drug use in teens, and it becomes clearer when many are judged in total. And most importantly, you have your gut. You know your child better than anyone else. You may not always be able to put words to it, but your gut can spot things that are unusual even for a teen.

That said, drawing upon a few highly reputable sources, we can identify four primary categories of teen drug abuse signs and symptoms, which include changes in mood and personality, behavior, hygiene and appearance, and physical health.16 17 18

Changes In A Teen’s Mood & Personality

• More irritable or agitated
• Seeming random euphoric behavior
• More aggressive
• Indifference or prolonged sadness
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Despondent or depressive demeanor
• Lower motivation
• Quieter and less communicative
• More hostility and anger, uncooperative
• Deceiving and secretive
• Greater difficulty focusing 
• A sudden loss of self-control
• Hyperactivity
• More sudden and extreme mood swings
• More anxious and/or depressed
  

Changes In A Teen’s Behavior

• New/different friend group
• Unusual amount of isolation
• Staying out later than allowed
• Vague about friends and who they will be with
• Lacking details in explaining their plans
• Sudden changes in the dynamics of family and friend relationships
• Underperforming in school
• Truancy
• Late on homework
• Loss of interest in normal hobbies, activities, and relationships
• Favorite activities not as appealing
• Misbehaving at school or getting into trouble with the law
• More challenging to hold eye contact
• Unusual frequency of locking doors
• Unable to be found for extended amounts of time
• Is gone more frequently and later than allowed
• More secretive with their phone
• Gives more excuses
• Uses chewing gum or mints around you more often to cover breath
• Often uses over-the-counter eye drops
• Unusual behavior with money
• Unexplained loss of money
• Has become unusually clumsy: stumbling, lacking coordination, poor balance
• Unusual sleep patterns, even for a teenager
  

Hygiene and Appearance Changes In A Teen

• Lack of care for their appearance
• Bathing less
• Disregard for how clean their clothes are
• Unusual grooming patterns, like shaving less
• Smells of drugs and alcohol in their clothes, room, car, etc.
• General presentation is unusually messy
• Worsening hygiene
• Cheeks and face are red more often
• Fingers or lips have burn or soot marks
• Multiple puncture wounds, bruises, scabs, or wounds on arms (track marks), and wearing long sleeves in warm weather to hide marks
  

A Teen’s Physical Health Changes

• Eating or sleeping habits change
• Lower energy and motivation
• Red or ‘bloodshot’ eyes
• More and unexplained nosebleeds
• Sick more often
• Tired more than normal
• Irregular speech patterns
• Mouth has sores and spots
• Abnormal weight change
• Perspires more often and in strange settings
• Has seizures and vomits not caused by illness
  

Signs of current teen intoxication differ based on the substance used but may include:

• Elation, excessive happiness, odd amount of laughter
• Dilated pupils
• Irregular speech patterns (slurring words, incoherent, etc.)
• Irregular, odd, and/or uncoordinated movements
  

These are generally clearer warning signs of teen drug use.

How To Approach Substance Use With Your Teen: Conversations & Treatment

Whether your child is caught red-handed or the signs of substance use have accumulated to an uncomfortable degree, initiating the process of treating this issue can feel overwhelming and scary. We here at Tulip Hill Healthcare can provide some insight and guidance on taking on this issue. With our experience treating addiction and mental health in Tennessee and Kentucky, we can speak to this process from experience.

Conversations About Drug Use With Your Teen

It’s normal to feel intense emotions when facing this. The truth is it’s hard to know how to talk to your teen about drug use. But here are a few important things to keep in mind that should help.

In the event that you’re asking about the signs you have noticed, it’s important to approach with compassion, non-judgment, and curiosity. A child will often close off if they suspect a personal attack is imminent. Lead with questions instead of accusations, and try to maintain composure. 

We know how much you love your child and it’s crucial to make sure that is abundantly clear as you speak with them. 

Avoid:

• Shaming language (language that attacks the person instead of the actions/circumstances)
• Comparison (“Why can’t you be like [so and so person]?”)
• Blaming other people
• Easily believing them (have compassion but investigate for yourself)

We can often see the substance a person is using as the problem. In some ways, it is actually the solution, meaning they are resorting to using the substance to solve a big problem or seek relief from a severe issue.

What is the “why” that propels them to substance use? How can you help them discover healthier solutions to those problems (more on that later)?

Be sure to make clear, firm boundaries and guidelines while continuing with compassion. Firm and clear boundaries will help them and it will help you. And this is a dynamic process, so expect to adapt for better or worse as time goes on and circumstances change. Perhaps firmer boundaries are needed, or they’re ready for more autonomy. You will be the best judge of this, and changing as the situation does never looks weak—quite the opposite in fact.

Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment For Your Teen

As you talk with your child and get clearer answers, you will likely see the need for professional help. Substance abuse is best treated with professional care.

Educate Yourself: NIH Drug Information Guide

The National Institutes of Health have put together a great database19 of information on different drugs, including street names of the drugs. This database includes signs of being under the influence, symptoms, addictiveness, risks, and more. More knowledge of the substance your child is dealing with will only help.

How To Find a Teen Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center Near Me

There are a number of locations that have teenage substance abuse treatment programs, and there are many different kinds for treatments. The location and program all depend on what your child is dealing with and the severity of the situation. Here are a few common treatment options for teenage drug abuse:

• Teen Drug & Alcohol Rehab

  • Inpatient rehab for teens includes a structured, live‑in addiction treatment for youth that offers 24/7 therapeutic support. Teen drug and alcohol rehab is best for those who would benefit from stepping away from daily stressors to fully focus on recovery.

• Detox for Teens

  • A medically supervised withdrawal phase that provides round‑the‑clock care and support to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably, serving as an important first step in healing.

• Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • A structured program offering several hours of therapy and support multiple days per week, enabling clients to continue recovery while maintaining everyday commitments like work, school, and family life.

• Partial Hospitalization Program for Teens (PHP)

  • An intensive, day‑level care program that provides strong therapeutic support during the day while allowing clients to return home in the evenings. This is suited for adolescents needing significant support without full residential treatment.

• Teen Outpatient Program (OP)

  • Outpatient rehab for teenagers offers a flexible level of care designed for individuals transitioning from higher‑intensity programs or who need regular support, allowing them to receive treatment while fully engaged in daily life.

• Community-Based Rehab Programs for Youth

  • Community-based rehab programs for youth provide treatment and support within the teen’s own community, helping them recover while staying connected to family, school, and local resources.

Based on the information above, you can search helpful directories, such as Psychology Today, findtreatmeant.gov, recovery.com, and others. Look for ones near you with the best reviews. Give their admissions team a call and a representative can walk you through whether one of their programs could be a great fit for your teen based on their needs.

Seek a Therapist for Teens

This resource guide alluded to it earlier, that the underlying causes that drive substance abuse often involve traumatic experiences, difficult life circumstances, and more. Getting at the root causes will most likely require the help of a professional mental health counselor. Therapy can help someone understand why they’re turning to substances and discover healthier ways to deal with what they’re facing. Plus, with the pain and shame mixed in with substance abuse, an unbiased, trusted professional to open up to can go a long way. 

Family counseling for teenage addiction can be a great avenue to navigate relational gridlock in the family and improve familial connection.

A rehab program may include therapy for teenagers with addiction, so make note to see if it does. If it does not, an outside option is viable.

Importance of Self Care as a Parent

The effects of helping a child with substance abuse can be extremely physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. It’s very important to take care of yourself.

Eat healthy and exercise. Take some time to do things you enjoy and have some alone time every now and then. 

Most importantly, have a support system. Reach out to trusted friends and family who can help you through this difficult time. Seek out support groups, such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, which are support groups specifically for people who have family members dealing with substance abuse.

Key Takeaways:

• Approach with compassion.
• Trust your gut; investigate the situation and what your child says for yourself.
• Educate yourself on the specific substance they’re struggling with.
• Seek professional treatment, including rehab and therapy.
• Take care of yourself.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as, “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”20

What Mental Health Struggles are Teens facing today?

Rising mental health issues have brought this subject into greater focus, and adolescents may be facing the worst of it. The rapid rise of the internet and social media have added a layer of complexity to mental health issues that society and experts are still grappling with. 

Thanks to the rate of technological advancement, teenagers find themselves in a very different social landscape to grow up in than their parents, so the disconnect between children and parents is even more at risk. This disconnect can be a key amplifier of mental health issues as parents are the primary means of mental and emotional support for children.

Mental health issues and substance abuse in teens often have similar driving factors. In fact, treating addiction often requires treating mental health disorders at the same time in a process known as “Dual Diagnosis Treatment.” So, we will see many similarities as the previous section, however, approaching the issue will have a couple important differences.

Fast Stats on Teen Mental Health

Here are some helpful data on the state of mental health in teens today:

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that nearly 50% of adolescents will experience a mental health disorder.21
• “[Forty-two percent] of teens experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” says the CDC.22
• The NIH found that, “An estimated 31.9% of adolescents had any anxiety disorder.”23
• 19% of teens, 12-17 years old, reported being bullied, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.24
• “Generation Z is the loneliest generation the world has seen, with isolation rates higher than both millennials and members of Generation X,” says one BYU research piece.25

The key takeaway is that you probably know a teen who is dealing with mental health issues or has a diagnosed disorder.

What are the Signs a Teen is Struggling with Mental Health?

The rates of struggles with mental health indicate your teen may experience some struggles for themselves. It can be difficult to gauge as they navigate through big changes and awkwardness known for this phase of life. However, with this list of signs to look out for, it will become easier to identify something serious. 

There are varying degrees of severity when it comes to mental health issues, and depending on where your teen is at will determine what is needed. Where substance use disorder practically always necessitates professional help, mental health issues may not warrant that right away. There are many things parents can do that can drastically improve a teens mental health—though erring on the side of seeking advice from a professional is always recommended. And we will cover in greater detail when to seek professional help.

You will notice that there are a number of different mental health disorders that display similar signs. It’s often that these disorders or struggles are interconnected. For example, someone experiencing depression is likely to experience anxiety.

How To Spot Depression In Teens

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines depression as a mood disorder that is “characterized by a persistent sad or empty feeling and/or a loss of interest in everyday activities.” They list these common signs of depression among teens26:

• Consistently feeling sad or hopeless for longer than two weeks
• Decreased interest and enjoyment in their favorite activities
• Abnormal changes in appetite and weight
• Unusual sleep patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Behavior changes at home or school (e.g., decline in academic functioning, decrease in motivation, increase in arguments)
• General tiredness and low energy
• Irritability
  

If left unaddressed and untreated, depression can get worse. More severe cases of depression greatly increase the risk of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Diagnosing depression is a case by case process, so it is always best left to professionals for a diagnosis. Speaking with their pediatrician can be a great first step for getting a recommended mental health professional and getting your child the help they need.

How To Identify Anxiety In Teens

Anxiety can be described as excessive worry, fear, and nervousness. It’s a common experience for everyone, yet teens are extremely susceptible to it with hormonal, developmental, and environmental changes. More severe cases can be very debilitating and can cause depression and isolation.

Granite Hills Hospital, which specializes in mental health treatment for adolescents, divides signs of anxiety in teens into three categories: psychological, physical, and behavioral.27

Psychological symptoms

• Persistent worry or fear about the future
• Feeling nervous or unsettled for no clear reason
• Struggling to quiet anxious thoughts or feelings
• Having thoughts that are obsessive or compulsive actions

Physical symptoms

• High heart rate without exercise or other external cause
• Perspiring with no clear external reason
• Feeling shaky or jittery
• Difficulty breathing deeply and catching breath
• Feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning
• Upset stomach, nausea, or other digestive issues

Behavioral symptoms

• Avoiding people, places, or activities that trigger anxiety
• Needing constant reassurance or having a hard time being alone
• Putting things off or struggling to finish tasks
• Skipping school or losing motivation to keep up with schoolwork

Excessive anxiety could indicate an anxiety disorder, which include “generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias among others.” It’s always recommended to speak to a health professional, but noticing these signs whether multiple and/or in severe degrees, it’s especially recommended to seek professional help.

Signs of Loneliness in Teens

Loneliness is a rising problem in our society. The previous U.S. Surgeon General said in an official report that there is a correlation between frequent internet use and loneliness, which teens are overwhelmingly online.28 The report emphasized the danger of loneliness, stating that it brings an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. And the mortality impact is similar to smoking “up to 15 cigarettes a day.”

Mental Health America, the leading nonprofit in America promoting mental health, lists signs a child is experiencing loneliness, which include29:

• Signs of stress: withdrawal, irritability
• Unusual sleep patterns
• Deteriorating appearance and hygiene
• Statements on life, purpose, meaning–in regards to themselves or in general–have become increasingly negative
• Substance abuse
• Increased depression and/or anxiety

Signs of Teen Bullying

While bullying itself is not a mental health disorder, it often indicates other mental health struggles that should be addressed—both for the victim and the bully. 

Stopbullying.gov, an effort of the HHS, lists these signs of bullying30:

Being Bullied

• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
• Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
• Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

Bullying

• Get into physical or verbal fights
• Have friends who bully others
• Are increasingly aggressive
• Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently
• Have unexplained extra money or new belongings
• Blame others for their problems
• Don’t accept responsibility for their actions
• Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity

It’s encouraged to get help now if you suspect your child is experiencing bullying. Incidents of bullying are largely unreported. This can be a very sensitive subject for a child to bring up on their own. It’s important to approach with compassion. Many reasons children do not speak up are deeply involved with shame, self-esteem, humiliation, feeling weak, and fear of backlash.

How can a parent help their teen’s mental health?

Causes of mental health struggles and disorders can be complex and working on improving them can feel overwhelming, especially since different mental health issues can be interlinked with others. Thankfully, there are many effective strategies that can greatly improve your child’s situation.

Seek Professional Teen Mental Health Treatment

You may feel that the severity of your child’s mental health issues do not warrant professional help, especially if best practices for mental health (as seen in the next section), are showing signs of great improvement. That said, getting connected with a professional that can better assess your child’s individual needs is always recommended. If you don’t know who to talk to first, your child’s pediatrician or a school counselor can often refer you to a professional who is trained to work with teens.

In their guidance on depression, the Mayo Clinic gives a good rule of thumb when determining seeking professional help for mental health. They say if symptoms begin to interfere in their normal life or “cause you to have concerns about suicide or your teen’s safety, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional trained to work with adolescents.”31 

Adolescent Counseling and Therapy Options

A trained therapist can really help a child uncover the underlying causes of his or her struggles, and they can help build strategies for overcoming them.

• Individual Therapy can provide an environment where a child can feel safe to talk about the issues they may keep to themselves and work on overcoming them.
• Group Therapy may be a great option. Group therapy benefits for adolescents because they can find camaraderie with other teens who are facing similar situations, which can be healing. Guided by a professional, these environments focus on healthy forms of healing via connection and protect against toxic ways relationships can make a problem worse.
• Family Therapy is a great teen mental health resource for parents because a trained professional can facilitate difficult conversations, steward new and deeper paths of connection, and help break through relational gridlock.
• Psychiatry may be recommended by a doctor or therapist for more severe cases, in which kids may utilize both talk therapy and medication.

Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Teen’s Mental Health

Whether alongside professional treatment or lending your help first, there are many ways parents can help improve their child’s mental health. The good news is that parents have the potential to have a very positive impact on their child’s mental health.

Compassion: How to have greater compassion for your teen

Approaching the issue alongside your child with compassion will be effective. Listen more than lecture and acknowledge their feelings.32 You may not understand why they are dealing with what they’re dealing with, but being a listening ear and compassionate is very effective. Trust your gut and be persistent as these issues take time and they may not want to reveal everything. If they say they’re fine, but your gut is telling you otherwise, stay with them—in a gentle manner.

Connection & Community: How to help your teen foster community

Connection plays a huge role in mental health. Guiding them towards activities and settings where they can make quality friendships can go a long way, but, of course, done with gentleness.

Getting your teen involved in community service or related activities can really help boost their self-esteem while putting them in positive, relational environments. See what they’re interested in and explore options in those realms.

A bonus activity is more time with animals. Getting a pet could be a great addition to your effort. If that’s not possible or you already have one, then getting your teen around other animals can be a great out-of-the-box way to boost mental health.

Physical Health: How to boost a teen’s mental health with physical health

Time and time again physical exercise shows to boost mental health. No need to put them through a boot camp. Encourage activity they’re interested in. If they’re not active at all, regular walks work well, too.

Along with the importance of physical exercise is the importance of healthy eating. Consider ways to introduce some healthier foods if this area is lacking in their lives.

Screens & Social Media: What to do about social media as a parent

Social media and screen time is widely accepted to increase mental health issues on many fronts. This could be difficult if your teen is used to prolonged screen time, but limited social media and screen use can definitely help the process.

Importance of Self Care as a Parent

This can be a tough process to go through. Making sure you take care of yourself will only benefit the quality of care you extend to your child.

Have your own support system of friends and family you can talk with about your struggles. Family support for teen recovery can be so helpful to you and your child. 

Invest in alone time where you can do things you enjoy and take time to relax. 

If you have other kids, be sure to continue to care for them, too. Your child’s siblings benefit from your love just as much, and if they’re cared for, that could allow for the sibling relationship to help your struggling teen’s situation.

What Mental Health Issues Are More Common In Girls?

Mental health operates a little differently between the sexes, so we must recognize some of the challenges more common to both. 

Here are some quick facts on mental health in teenage girls and some insights on what they’re facing:

• Anxiety disorder is more prevalent among girls (38% compared to 26.1%).33
• Loneliness is reported higher among girls.34
• Teen girls are more likely to experience depression.35
• 1 in 4 girls have experienced some form of sexual abuse compared to 1 in 6 boys.36
• Teens girls are more likely to experience cyberbullying-related depression, along with body image and disordered eating behavior, and toxic social comparison.37

As indicated by the United States Attorney General’s advisory on youth social media use, social media is a huge driving factor in poor mental health amongst teen girls.

Given the impact social media can have on teenage girls, it’s important to assess your child’s social media use and always prioritize real-world, parental and social connection.

Additionally, the high rates of sexual abuse experienced by teenage girls warrants awareness and precautions. Sexual abuse/trauma is universally accepted to be a huge motivator of mental health issues/disorders and drug abuse. If you have the heartbreaking suspicion or knowledge that your child has experienced sexual trauma, then it’s important to seek professional, trauma-informed care specifically for teens and approach with unwavering compassion, support, and empathy.

Self-image and pressure to conform to certain norms are the general themes of mental health issues girls are facing. Acceptance and admiration expressed with compassion can connect well with teenage girls, along with sensitivity to things they may feel shame about.

What Mental Health Issues Are More Common In Boys?

The struggles more common to adolescent boys are worth noting, too, especially since they are more likely to go unaddressed.

At glance, some facts about teen boys’ mental health include:

• More likely to commit suicide.38
• Higher rates of disruptive behaviors.
• Less likely to speak up and seek mental health resources.39
• More likely to develop addictive behaviors40

The overwhelming trend is that boys are less likely to speak up, which can allow addictions to become more entrenched and a higher likelihood of suicide if suicidal ideation is present.

Boys may feel less likely to speak up due to greater stigma of showing weakness as a man. It’s also much less socially common, and even accepted, for young boys to talk openly about their problems with one another like girls might. And with how girls are socialized from a young age compared to boys, they may have a harder time articulating what they’re dealing with or having the self-awareness to recognize a problem. 

Adolescent boys are more likely to have disruptive behaviors, and often these behaviors are viewed as the problem when they are more likely to be an outward sign of a deeper problem. This could mean the root cause is going unaddressed.

Fostering an environment that encourages openness with struggles and seeking connection can go a long way. Both clear boundaries, loving communication, and compassion can help an adolescent boy navigate mental health struggles.

Conclusion: Helpful tips for parents on treating teen substance use and mental health issues

Knowing the contributing factors and signs of substance abuse and mental health issues immediately gets you a step ahead with your child, whether you’re in the middle of treatment, curious about prevention, or somewhere in between. 

There is a lot of very useful information out there, and we hope this resource guide was helpful to you. But nothing will replace seeking professional help if you believe the situation could warrant that. Working with a professional who can make informed recommendations based on you and your child’s unique situation is always the best option.

When it comes to identifying the signs, having those conversations, and exploring help, never be afraid to trust your gut instincts. Nobody knows a child like a parent, so allow that deep knowledge to guide your decisions.

Remember that hope goes a very long way in these difficult situations. We hope it is clear that not only is hope justified, but that it’s actually crucial. An optimistic view of the future as a parent is something that can positively influence a child. And you have solid grounds for hope given the many resources available and the many ways you can positively impact your child’s life.

And that right there is the final takeaway. As you have seen throughout this resource guide, a healthy parent child relationship can be such a great preventative factor to substance abuse and mental health issues, especially a healthy relationship with both parents, if possible. If your child has already gone down the path of at-risk mental health or substance use, it is never too late to work on improving the parent-child relationships in their life, as it will bear good fruit. 

You’re also not alone. It can feel like all of the weight is on you, but the truth is there are so many avenues of support for yourself and your child. Taking care of yourself and plugging into your own support network is crucial, and will benefit your child tremendously. And encouraging your child to spend time doing activities they enjoy, especially charitable causes, will be effective. Not to mention that connecting them with other mentors will help them and ease some of your burden. New, positive mentors can be impactful, and there are many out there who have dealt with these issues themselves. These folks know how to help a teenager with drug addiction or mental health issues, and they’re passionate about it.

Lastly, if your child has been struggling with mental health or substance use, it can be so tempting to feel like you have failed as a parent. The truth is that there are almost countless factors that could have contributed to it. What’s important is focusing on the future and that it is never too late to change. Take it from us at Tulip Hill Healthcare, victory is always within reach. Redemption is a beautiful thing to experience, often building a unique strength and resiliency.

If you know someone who could benefit from this resource guide, we encourage you to share it. 

If you or someone you love is feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or thinking about suicide, you’re not alone, and help is just a call or text away. Reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or start a chat at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are there to listen and help 24/7, free and confidential.