If you’re left thinking “why won’t my teen share with me” or “my teenage son won’t talk to me,” know that you’re not alone.

October is Depression Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking mental health stigma and helping more people recognize the impact of living with depression. Millions of people experience depression each year, yet it often goes unnoticed or misunderstood.

Depression in teens is a serious and growing concern, and it’s closely linked to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Therapy can play a critical role in suicide prevention, yet mental health stigma often gets in the way. Teens may feel ashamed or reluctant to ask for help, and parents may fear what it means if their child needs therapy, worrying that it suggests something is “wrong” with their kid.

If your child has come to you and told you they’re being bullied, or even if you just suspect that your kid is being bullied, you might feel at a loss for what to do. How can parents support their children without undermining their child’s own coping and problem-solving skills? In this article, we answer that question and more. We review some of the research and definitions of bullying, and talk about some of the mental health impacts of bullying. Read on to learn more. What

Between the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, repeated school shootings, and the growing spread of Monkeypox, managing stress during the fall 2022 return to school is no easy feat. Parents, kids, and teachers may all be experiencing psychological stress during this challenging transition. How can parents support their children while managing their own stress? And when are anxiety symptoms a sign of a mental health issue that needs addressing vs. typical transition-related stress? In