Jerusha Clark: Signs of Depression in Teens and How to Respond (Part 1)
Apr 10, 2024
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Jerusha Clark, expert in teen mental health, discusses signs of depression in teens and the importance of attentive parenting. Topics include recognizing mental health issues, supporting teens through anxiety, and navigating parenting choices with adolescents.
Recognizing signs of depression in teens requires parents to observe persistent stress symptoms and behavioral changes.
Encouraging teens to make better decisions involves understanding motivations and values, prioritizing faith and character development.
Deep dives
Rising Teen Depression Levels
Teens are increasingly facing depression in today's society, with research indicating a significant proportion of young people, especially females, experiencing feelings of hopelessness and sadness. The prevalence of suicide plans and attempts among teenagers highlights the seriousness of the mental health crisis, emphasizing the need for parental understanding and support in navigating these complex emotions.
Identification of Depression in Teens
Jerusha Clark discusses the importance of distinguishing between typical teen stress and more severe mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Parents are advised to observe the persistency of stress symptoms and changes in their child's behavior to determine if they require additional support. Understanding the difference between circumstantial stress and underlying mental health conditions is crucial for providing appropriate care and intervention.
Parental Guidance on Teen Choices
Parents are encouraged to avoid controlling their teenagers' decisions out of fear and focus on understanding their motivations and underlying emotions. By acknowledging the desire for control and surrendering it to a higher power, parents can help teens navigate challenging choices with wisdom and discernment. Emphasizing the consequences of decisions and prioritizing foundational values like faith and character development can guide teens towards making positive choices for their well-being.
What are some signs of depression in teens? Jerusha Clark joins Danny and Rebecca to discuss teen depression and steps parents can take to recognize it. Plus, we'll hear a question from one of our listeners who wants to know how she can encourage her son to make better decisions.