Having mental health struggles as a teenager is a very difficult time. It’s also extremely difficult for the parent who is caring for and living with the teenager. It can be problematic to know where to start if you have never had depression before, so let the following 4 factors guide you to best support your struggling teen.

1. Be Ready to Listen

The best thing you can do for your teenager when they are depressed is listen and empathize when they need you to. Trying too hard to talk through things when your teenager may not have the energy to discuss their feelings, or constantly trying to offer solutions, may serve to make the situation worse.

Listening and being supportive in a ready capacity for when they want to approach you is a positive method, as it allows your teenager to know they always have your support whenever they are ready to talk about it.

2. It’s Not Their Fault

Before depression is determined, or before you can fully understand depression (especially if dealing with it for the very first time), it’s easy to judge the behavior of your teen as negative traits. This could include things like laziness, unsociability, untidiness and general mood swings, or even anger. It’s important to remember that all symptoms of depression manifest in different ways, and none of these traits are your teenager’s fault.

It’s important to remember this, as trying to discipline your teen or berating them for negative habits can make their mood worse. While it’s true that the teenage years are difficult and behavior based on hormones is likely, depression is entirely different.

3. There is Only So Much You Can Do

As a parent, it’s natural to want to feel as though you have complete ability to help your child when they are in need. With depression and any other mental health conditions, there is only so much you can do for your teenager when you aren’t professionally — or medically — equipped to deal with that sort of situation. While love and support is something you can certainly provide, for long-term recovery and healing, you should look into options such as igniteteentreatment.com so that your teenager can get the professional support they need.

4. Create Opportunities

Depression may leave your teen feeling unmotivated and unsociable. This may result in your teenager unable — or unwilling — to make social plans or to even leave the house. It can be very helpful for your teenager if you create opportunities and prompts for them, such as asking them to join you on a walk, or if they’d like to accompany you somewhere.

It’s important to remember, however, to always give your teenager a choice, rather than pressuring them to do something. If they are feeling really low or don’t have any energy, they may not want to be prompted into a social situation. And if they say no, it’s important for you to respect that.