Let’s Tackle Teen Depression

ParentsAssociation.com has recently partnered with Families for Depression Awareness (FDA) to help spread the word about this resource. FDA provides a useful website containing  advice, programs, guidance and free webinars. Below, you will find a couple of examples of what FDA offers.

Here is a webinar that aired in October and that you can listen to today:

Teen Depression—Addressing Stress

For Parents, Caregivers, Teachers, School Counselors and Staff, Youth Workers, and anyone interested in Teen Mental Health

(Aired October 11, 2018)

REGISTER TO WATCH ON DEMAND

Faced with balancing school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, social interactions, and family issues, teens today often struggle to stay afloat. Those who have suffered trauma and those whose communities are under-resourced or unsafe may face additional stressors. Caring adults can help teens alleviate stress and depression symptoms by encouraging development of positive coping skills.

Join our free webinar live or on demand as Amy Saltzman, M.D., teaches adults how to identify stress and depression in teens, use the power of mindfulness-based stress reduction in difficult times, and truly listen without judgment. During the webinar, caring adults will also learn how to respond—rather than react—to teens during emotionally-charged conversations. Amy Saltzman M.D., is a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, scientist, wife, mother, devoted student of transformation, long-time athlete, and occasional poet. Her passion is supporting people of all ages in enhancing their well-being and discovering the “Still Quiet Place” within. She is recognized by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the fields of mindfulness for youth and holistic medicine.

To support others in discovering the joy and peace of the Still Quiet Place, Dr. Saltzman has written A Still Quiet Place: A Mindfulness Program for Teaching Children and Adolescents to Ease Stress and Difficult Emotions.

Here is FDA’s simple, useful template for helping someone with depression:

Families for Depression Awareness Action Plan Template

What is one specific problem that needs to be addressed?

Why do you want to address the problem?

What are possible steps to take to address the problem?

1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________

Look at the steps you listed above. Are they realistic? If a step seems too big, you may need to break it down into smaller steps. Cross out any of the possibilities that are impractical. Now, circle the step you want to try first.

Who needs to be involved?  (Include yourself if applicable)

1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________

What does each person need to do?

Are there questions you need answered before you feel able to act?

What information or resources do you need in order to try this step?

Will you follow this action plan?  Yes  No

If yes, when will you start? ________________________________________________________

If no, what’s stopping you? _______________________________________________________

 

Sample Action Plan

• What is one specific problem that needs to be addressed?

My son has not been participating in his usual activities and seems withdrawn. This has been going on for a few weeks.

• Why do you want to address the problem?

My son’s well-being and happiness are important to me. I want him to be safe and healthy.

• What are possible steps to take to address the problem?

1. Talk with him to find out how he is feeling and what is going on.
2. Make an appointment with a therapist for a mental health evaluation.
3. Sign him up for activities and make sure he goes

[Look at the steps you listed above. Are they realistic? If a step seems too big, you may need to break it down into smaller steps. Cross out any of the possibilities that are impractical. Now, circle the step you want to try first.]

• Who needs to be involved? (Include yourself if applicable)

1. Myself
2. My son
3. Possibly my husband

• What does each person need to do?

 I need to talk to my son about my concerns and be ready to listen to what he says. I will try to choose a time when I think my son is ready and willing to talk about what is going on. I’ll ask my husband if he thinks we should both talk to him at once or try talking to our son separately.  

• Are there questions you need answered before you feel able to act?

When is the best time to talk with my son? How does my husband want to be involved? Is anyone else noticing these changes in my son?

• What information or resources do you need in order to try this step?

I should practice the things I want to say to my son. I want to make sure to use “I” statements and talk about my concerns in a way he can hear me. 

• Will you follow this action plan? Yes  No

If yes, when will you start? I’ll start getting the information I need this Friday after work.

• If no, what’s stopping you?

You will find much more on the FDA site.

Text written and provided by Families for Depression Awareness.

Like most of the pictures on ParentsAssociation.com, the picture posted with this article is courtesy of a free download from Pixabay.com.

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