Teen Mental Health Checklist |
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Top Ten Mental Health Warning Signs That Parents Can Watch For
According to the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 20% of children and youth in Canada have a diagnosable mental health disorder - In Ontario, the numbers are about 1 in 5 for four to sixteen year olds. With the additional demands of a family’s back to school schedule, Family TLC a group of therapists and life coaches specializing in working with families, has provided parents with a Teen Mental Health Checklist to help distinguish between what might be just ‘hormones’ and something more serious happening with their children.
“Depression is a huge reality among youth right now,” said Sue Cook, one of the therapists with Family TLC. “With the added demands of the holidays, work commitments and social functins, parents may find little extra time to notice key behaviour changes or a significant disruption in their kids’ normal routine or disposition.”
Cook explains that often with adolescence, symptoms of depression or mental health issues are misdiagnosed as social disorders or falling in with the wrong crowd. “There are currently a great number of teens on some form of anti-depressant, but the truth is that the harmful effects of these drugs on adolescence are not yet known,” she continues, “It can be frustrating for doctors and other professionals because there are not many resources available in Barrie to deal with youth, and it often means travel to Newmarket or Toronto, or no treatment at all.”
Currently, about 40% of young adults with depression do not use any mental health services. “We could be helping so many more families if parents were more aware of the signs,” she said.
In addition to typical deviant or rebellious behaviour, Cooks suggests to look for a significant rise in anxiety or isolation. Here are some highlights from the checklist available at www.familytlc.ca.
Typical Teenage Behaviour |
Warning Signs |
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Having minor personality changes, growing into their own opinion, or gradually changing interests or focus. |
Marked change in personality. Hardly ever the person you have known since birth. |
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Complaining about mundane things, repetitive tasks, people they don’t like. |
Prolonged negative mood and/or attitude. |
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Not liking a teacher or struggling in one or two subjects.
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Regularly skipping school or opposing authority, lots of failure. |
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Having growing pains or being conscientious of physical changes. |
Regularly complaining of aches and pains that don’t seem to have a pinpoint able cause |
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Curiosity with drugs and alcohol. |
Excessively engaging in drugs and alcohol. |
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Have occasional angry outbursts but demonstrate or express remorse after they have calmed down. |
Having frequent angry outburst saying angry things and sticking to those angry beliefs even when they have calmed down. |
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Feeling nervous about a change like school starting or having different people in their classes. |
Feeling worried about change and not being able to adjust after two or three weeks. |
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Friends can replace family at times. |
Losing connection with parents and family all together or having no friends at all. |
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Energy seems to be there during the week but on weekends they seem to slow down maybe sleep longer or chill out more. |
Lacking in energy all the time both weekdays and weekends, |
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Staying up late. |
Staying up until past 2 am on a regular basis – Could indicate sleep problems. |
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Sleeping in late. |
Coming home exhausted or sleeping all the time. |
What can you do?
If you notice any of the above warning signs don’t become alarmed. There are qualified professionals whom can help your child, you, & the rest of your family find solutions. At
Family TLC we believe that successful parenting is a recipe that requires love & knowledge. Check out our free online resources for tips on how to communicate with teenagers.
About the Author
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Family TLC
Family TLC is a group of Therapists and Life Coaches operating out of the Barrie area. They offer a holistic approach to family and individual counselling that goes beyond just talking and gets to the root of... Learn more about Family TLC
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JoAnne W | December 9, 2008 at 3:31 pm - §
Article was great at recognizing depression but very poor on follow through. Most families that read this article do NOT live in the Barrie area or the Toronto area. A listing of provincial programs or help centres for the rest of the canadians would be very helpful.