Let’s Talk About Child and Teen Mental Health – by Alexis Putnam, LCSW

Mental health impacts us all. No matter where we live, what our background is, or how old we are we can all struggle at times with our emotions, feelings, and connections.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This designation serves as an annual reminder to all of us to stop stigmatizing others or ourselves, reach out to those we care about if we believe they may be struggling, and look inside ourselves to see if we may need to talk with someone about what we are going through.

I sat down to record the following videos, from my perspective as a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling services to children and teenagers.

Expressing Emotions

If a child or teenager is experiencing big feelings, it can help for them to simply talk about what they are going through. As parents, teachers, and other adults in their lives, it’s our job to make them feel safe to do so.

Finding Trusted Adults

For a child, having multiple trusted adults in their life can make a huge difference in their mental health, especially in times of crisis. (This usually includes their parents).

These adults are people who treat the child with respect, listen to them, make them feel safe, and who would never ask them to keep secrets, break rules, or do something that would make them uncomfortable.

Understanding Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is when a child or teenager is influenced by their peers to behave in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.

In some instances, it can be positive, like if a child makes friends who encourage them to adopt healthy habits or get good grades. But unfortunately, in other cases, peer pressure can cause a child to make bad choices.

As a parent, you can help your child by instilling them with confidence in what makes a choice a good one. 

Building Self-Esteem

Self-esteem, or a person’s confidence in their worth, can be difficult at any age, especially with so many misconceptions out there about what is “cool.”

We are all unique, and it is our uniqueness that will ultimately help us find our true passions and real friends who accept us as we are.  

Identifying ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma

ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a formal medical diagnosis that can potentially help a child, teen, or adult who is struggling with paying attention at school or work.

I like to say that a child with ADHD may seem like they are run by a motor. They never quite slow down. Their attention span might be short and they might be extra impulsive.

I recommend any parent who feels this might describe their child begin by speaking with their child’s teacher. If their teacher is seeing the same behavior in the classroom that you are at home, they may need extra support.

Anxiety is something everyone feels from time to time. It’s that tight feeling in your chest that comes with stress, fear, and uneasiness. Finding a few moments to step away and relax can help us cope with these feelings.

If a child, teen, or adult finds themselves dealing with so much anxiety that it is interfering in their daily life, it might be time to seek additional support.

Depression is when a feeling of sadness or uninterest in the things that used to make a person happy becomes long-term or unmanageable. 
When I work with children and teens who show signs of depression, I often try to help them through strengths-based therapy. This technique focuses on the positive instead of the negative, encouraging goal-setting and gradual changes that can make a real difference. 

Trauma is, unfortunately, something a person can suffer at any age and it can be hard to overcome. The first step is recognizing what trauma is and then work can begin in counseling to come to terms with what has happened and determine some coping strategies meant to help the child, teenager, or adult begin to feel better. 

Practicing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Healthy coping mechanisms for mental health struggles can include regular exercise, mindfulness or deep breathing practices, journaling, and fostering healthy relationships where a person can find support.

Some of us (especially teenagers) can find these difficult and might instead turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like self-harm to find release.

If you are a teenager who is going through this, or if you are a parent who had noticed some warning signs with your child, remember that support is available. Counselors are trained to help and not judge.

Let’s Talk About It

If you or someone you love is struggling, you do not need to go through it alone. Bassett Healthcare Network has counselors who work hand-in-hand with pediatricians and at many of our network’s School-Based Health Centers to provide support to children, teenagers, and their families.

We’re ready to have a conversation if you have any concerns. We are ready to listen.

If you are ever in a mental health crisis, dial or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor 24/7. Visit 988lifeline.org/chat to communicate online.

About the Author
Alexis Putnam, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over six years of experience. She has worked within Bassett Healthcare Network for her entire career after growing up in the local area. Alexis provides mental health counseling to children and teenagers referred to her by Bassett pediatricians and school-based health providers.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.