Caring for Your Teen’s Mental Health in 5 Steps: ‘I CARE’
By: Joni Boyd
Raising teens can often feel overwhelming, particularly when navigating mental health issues.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or mental health professional, understanding how to support teenagers is vital.
We spoke with Graeme Cowan, RU OK? director and professional speaker, celebrated for his work around mental health and resilience. He spoke about his I CARE Framework, an actionable guide for identifying distress and offering support.
One of the main things parents need to focus on, Graeme says, is finding ways to identify emotional distress and offer relevant support.
I CARE Framework
I – Identify Changes
“The I stands for how we identify people… looking at changes, it could be changes in mood, could be changes in appearance,” Graeme said. “[Are] they not looking after themselves as best they have?”
It’s important to recognise significant changes in a teen’s behaviour or appearance as these may be early warning signs of potential mental health issues. Rather than just looking for notable sadness, Graeme encourages parents to watch for shifts in everyday habits or unusual behaviors.
C – Compassion
It’s vital that we approach the teen with compassion and empathy and if possible, in an environment where they feel comfortable such as during a walk or car ride.
Direct yet gentle questions like “Are you okay?” help validate their feelings and open up a more in-depth dialogue.
A – Access Experts
Additionally, accessing expert help is vital, Graeme said and stressed the importance of seeking a rigorous assessment and holistic treatment plan from a professional.
“Really knowing how to find a mental health savvy GP, a good psychologist, a good psychiatrist is important, and particularly for young people,” he said.
R – Routines
Establishing routine can have a surprising effect on a teen’s mental health. Graeme suggests giving school and workplace routines a refresh.
E – Exercise
It’s no surprise that encouraging and enabling regular exercise is a vital part of helping a teen’s mental health. Exercise helps all of us maintain mental and physical balance.
“Encouragement and support can make a really big difference, of course, as well as having good mental health professionals,” Graeme said.
“Keep asking questions, because the more [a] young person feels understood, the greater our capacity to influence them.”
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Photo by Pablo Varela on Unsplash
