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Adolescent Counselling: Addressing Mental Health Challenges During the Teen Years

We’ve all experienced being a teen and know how tough it can be. Today’s adolescents can find life even more complicated with so many expectations and changes happening all at once. One in seven teens actually experiences a mental health disorder during this stage of their lives.

As a parent or caregiver, there’s nothing more we’d want than to raise an emotionally healthy family. But it can be quite a challenge to know the best way to help. You might feel unsure of how you can show support. Or maybe you’re worried that your teen’s struggles are becoming more than just growing pains.

One effective way to approach this is through adolescent counselling. The right Calgary therapist can give your teen a safe space to express themselves and the confidence they need to face what’s ahead.
If you’re considering adolescent counselling, here’s our article that’ll break down what it’s about and how you can get involved. Let’s get started.

Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Adolescents

Mental health is serious – no matter what. We want to emphasize this because it can be easy for us, especially in our teens, to feel like we can just brush the worries off. But in most cases, that’s just not the case.

Here are some common mental health challenges that adolescents face:

● Anxiety Disorders: Many teens feel overwhelmed by school, and that’s on top of the social pressure and the need to perform well.

● Depression: Adolescents may struggle with feelings of sadness and hopelessness or lack interest in activities they once enjoyed.

● Disordered Eating: More than half of adolescent girls have struggled with an eating disorder. And mental health challenges are often to blame.

● Substance Abuse: Some teens resort to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain.

● Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts: Teens can also contemplate self-destructive behaviour, which is a sign of deeper mental health struggles.

It’s essential to recognize these issues early on. Taking these mental health challenges seriously can prevent more significant problems down the road.

What is Adolescent Counselling?

Adolescent counselling is intended to help teens deal with the emotional and mental challenges of facing adolescence. Unlike child counselling, which may focus on play-based therapy, adolescent counselling involves more open discussions.

During counselling, the mental health professional needs to build trust with the teen. This allows the teen to express their emotions and work through difficulties in a safe environment. The therapist can then help them develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills.

The goal of counselling is to empower people to manage their emotions and build confidence.
Benefits of Counselling for Adolescents

Adolescents with low self-esteem are 1.26 times more likely to develop depression.³ This alone shows why addressing mental health issues early on is so important. Unresolved problems can grow into bigger issues later in life.

Here are some benefits of adolescent counselling:

● Improved Self-Esteem: Counselling helps teens feel more comfortable with themselves.

● Coping Skills: Teens learn to deal with stress and emotional challenges in healthy ways.

● Better Communication: Teens can communicate better and resolve their conflicts through therapy.

● Emotional Resilience: Adolescents who receive counselling are better equipped to handle future challenges on their own.

● Prevent Long-Term Issues: This prevents their current issues from turning into more severe physical and mental conditions later on.

Counselling provides teens with the tools they need to manage life’s ups and downs, and this is what sets them up for success as adults.

How Parents Can Support Their Teenagers

Parents and caregivers don’t have to be hands-off when they seek professional help for their teens. Keep your communication lines open, which means that you’re actively listening without judgment, even if they don’t share much at first.

Educating yourself on mental health issues can also help you have a better understanding of what they’re going through. Encourage healthy habits like doing regular exercises together and preparing balanced meals. These small steps can all make a big difference.

Remember to be patient—teens will need time to open up. We’ve all been like that, so be sure that you give them space while still being supportive. Work with the therapist to stay aligned with their treatment plan, too.

By staying involved, you’ll help your teen feel more secure and supported during this time.

Supportive Adolescent Counselling in Calgary

Adolescence is a challenging time, and watching your teen struggle with emotional or mental health issues can be incredibly hard for you as well. And you don’t have to be alone here.
At Supporting Wellness Psychological & Family Services, our compassionate team of mental health professionals is here to support you and your teen every step of the way. With over 10 years of experience, we provide specialized care tailored to meet everyone’s unique needs.

Reach out to us today – we’re here to help your teen through their journey. Adolescent counselling can offer the support teens need to make it through these difficult years and build the strength and confidence to move forward.

References:

Mental health of adolescents; World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
What is an Eating Disorder; Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association
https://www.okeatingdisorders.org/about-1
Low Self-Esteem During Adolescence Predicts Poor Health, Criminal Behavior, and Limited Economic Prospects During Adulthood; ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7210504_Low_Self-Esteem_During_Adolescence_Predicts_Poor_Health_Criminal_Behavior_and_Limited_Economic_Prospects_during_Adulthood