How to Help Adolescents with Mental Health and Substance Abuse

in Health & Well-being

Life is complex, and people are even more complex. From a young age we are susceptible to a broad range of things that can have an impact on us in our later lives. However, we may also be born with certain deficiencies that can manifest in ways. Society is made so that people fall into line. Society wants a person to behave a certain way in order to fit in, and in order for society itself to work. Those of us who do not fit the mould are often cast aside, forgotten about and left behind. This is evidently wrong, and we do not live in a time where survival of the fittest is the only way to move forward. In the past, subjects like mental health have been taboo in many schools. This largely stems from our own lack of understanding of the brain and of the mind. Anyone who claimed to have mental health trouble would be branded as moody or weird. With more light coming on these topics, we are beginning to paint a clearer picture of what they actually mean. Drug abuse is another topic that can get swept under the rug, especially when it concerns adolescents. Adults do not want to have to face the fact that there may be a serious underlying problem that their teen is suffering from, they also do not want to face the fact that their teen may have a drug problem. This is normal, these are tough topics to deal and engage with. However, this article is here to help. Provided are some tips and some ways that you can help an adolescent who may be suffering from drug abuse or mental health issues.

A Facility to Grow

Sometimes, the best thing to do for someone is to provide them with the proper care and support that they need. Sometimes, the problem is out of your hands. This can be a tough decision to make as you will most likely want to be part of the healing process. Nevertheless, this will be best done by the professionals. Places like Clearfork Academy provide just this service. It is a resort that struggling adolescents can attend in order to help rebuild their mental health and combat their substance abuse. It is a serious treatment that has shown some serious benefits. There is a team of qualified nurses and doctors that are no call around the clock. This means that an adolescent is safe at all times.

The Power of Words

This may sound cliché, but the power that talking to someone can have is amazing. By simply asking how the adolescent is doing, or trying to show interest in them, you can create a bond with them that shows them that you care and that you want to help. This being said, someone struggling with a drug issue may not want to discuss it and always remove yourself from a situation if they become hostile. You can share some of these tips with the adolescent to provide them with information on how they can better take care of their health.

Therapy is a Good Place for Mental Healing

If an adolescent you know is suffering from poor mental health, the help of a trained therapist can make the world of difference. Although having someone to talk to helps, having a therapist helps them to explore their own feelings and thoughts can teach the adolescent how to navigate these feelings themselves. This is a great skill that will last with them for life. The therapist can also help them to discuss any past traumas that they have, traumas that they would not have spoken about if it was not for the therapist. They can even help the adolescent to unlock past memories that were previously forgotten. These memories may be acting as reasons for their current behaviour. For more information on mental health, look here.

We hope that the points of information in this article will help you if you know anyone going through any of the issues mentioned. Remember, the best thing to do is to seek the help of a trained professional. They are trained and have experience dealing with the situation at hand and can provide the best help.


Image Credits: Kelly Sikkema

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