Teens
If you are worried about your teenager
Listen first. Notice what is going well. And please do not wait.
This page is for parents. Adolescence is a time of change, and some moodiness is ordinary. Some signs, though, mean it is time to get another pair of eyes on what is happening — before a hard season becomes a crisis.
Warning signs
Consider calling if you notice one or more of the following, especially if they last or get worse:
- A sudden drop in grades or loss of interest in school
- Withdrawal from family or from friends they used to enjoy
- Lasting sadness, irritability, or anger
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Secretiveness, lying, or a sharp change in the rules they will accept
- Giving up activities that used to matter
- Talk of hopelessness, worthlessness, or self-harm
This list is not a diagnosis. It is a place to start paying attention.
Listen first
When you talk with your teen, listen first. Advice lands better after they feel heard. Try to understand their world before you correct it.
Notice three positives for every concern you raise. What they do well still belongs in the conversation.
Do not wait if you are worried. A free phone consultation can help you decide whether counseling is the next step. Call Cherish Bedwell at (916) 834-3486.
If your teenager is in immediate danger, call 988 or local emergency services.