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Teen years are a time of rapid social, emotional, and physical development. You can support your teen by talking to them about their strategies for dealing with the ups and downs of life. You can also talk to them about their hopes for next week, next year, and beyond.

Teens often feel a great deal of pressure. They may navigate academic and social pressures, bullying and harassment, unhealthy relationships, depression and anxiety, family instability, substance misuse, relationship issues, and other issues causing them stress. 

Asking your teen about how they feel can help guide them toward finding their own hopefulness and healthy coping strategies. When adults validate and normalize emotions like anger, happiness, sadness, hope, and frustration, teens learn that it is normal to have many different emotions (sometimes many at the same time!) and they do not need to hide or deal with their emotions alone.

Communicate to Your Teen that Seeking Mental Health Care is a Sign of Strength.

Almost a quarter of Jefferson County high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks in a row or more in the past 12 months that they stopped doing some usual activities (Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2023). 

Communicate to your teen that seeking mental health care for depression or suicidality is a sign of strength. If you, or your teen, is in immediate crisis text or call 988 to be connected to a mental health professional at the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line to talk over emotional, mental health, or substance use concerns. 988 Colorado Mental Health Line is available for free, immediate, human support 24/7.

Video: Resilience

Author Alyson Reid-Larade talks about towards and away coping strategies and how your decisions can help create your better future.

Video is eight minutes and six seconds long (8:06).

Open Ended Questions About Hopefulness and Coping

How to Start a Conversation About Hopefulness and Coping

Share some positive coping skills you have with your teen. The American Psychological Association has some suggestions you can discuss.

First, find an opening.

Look for an opener when someone you know, or a person on TV or the radio, mentions either positive or negative coping. Ask your teen:

• How are they using that as a coping strategy?
• I wonder if that is working for them. 
• If possible, follow up by asking them about their coping strategies and how well they work.

Ask a direct question that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."

For example:

• When you think about your future, what makes you hopeful?
• When I am stressed, my best healthy coping mechanism is _____. What is yours?
• What did you and your friends end up doing last night?
• What are your thoughts about self-care? How do you do it?
• What would you do if a friend seemed to have lost hope?
• What is something you have been coping with really well over the past year?
• What is your best way to deal with intense anger or frustration?
• What stresses you out the most? How do you deal with that?

The best way to show your teen you care?

Be there.

Have a talk with your teen.

Learn more at https://jeffcoctc.care/twelve-talks/hopefulness-and-coping/