Looking after your teenagers mental health during lockdowns

The more we have lockdowns the more it can be affecting your teenagers mental health.
There is suffering in enormous numbers and Dads you need to be concerned and do what you can to help your teenagers get through these challenging lockdowns.

We don’t know how long this is going to last for or if we will be in lockdowns again? It’s important to remember that every one of your sons or daughters handles stress and anxiety differently, if you teenager is already challenged with mental health issues then all of what’s happening will be amplified.

All families handle stress differently and during lockdowns its particularly important to introduce or maintain your family routines. All children strive in an environment where there is predictability and routine, its helps them stay grounded.

And we all need to feel grounded instead of this in and out of lockdown with restrictions. I feel so bad for teenagers, they have had a disrupted education and had to swap to online learning, missing out on key celebrations, isolated from friends, social events and general freedoms.

You might see some changes in behaviour such as, mood swings, withdrawn, lack of motivation, a change in sleeping or eating patterns. Somethings in particular when you child becomes withdrawn we can worry and over compensate by wanting too much of their time. Keep communication open while you still give them space.

Things we can do to help get our sons and daughters through tough times – and remember these times will end!

Encourage communication with their friends group
Keep them in touch with family via phone or video catch-ups
Have routine jobs around the house that they do
Walk the dog
Encourage routine walks
Anything to do with outside activity
A weekly night where they plan and cook dinner
Take up a new hobby i.e. adult colouring books
A weekly movie night for everyone including popcorn
Help them organise a counsellor to talk too, has proven to be a positive experience for young people
Have a nice scent in the house with a scented candle
Make these things and activities a routine

What has worked in your home? We would love to know, please share by making a comment below.

Support groups for young people and teenagers are listed below…

Kids Helpline

1800 55 1800

Free, confidential counselling service available any time of the day or night by phone or webchat.

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636

Call or chat online with a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night.

Headspace

1800 650 890

Online and telephone support service that helps young people who don’t feel ready to attend a headspace centre or who prefer to talk about their problems via online chat, email or on the phone.

Online forums

Beyond Blue

The Beyond Blue forums are a supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience.

Reach Out

ReachOut Forums is a supportive, safe and anonymous space where people care about what’s happening for you, because they’ve been there too.

Websites

Reach Out

Use ReachOut.com to figure things out and make life better. The website offers information and other resources designed specifically for young people.

Kids Helpline

The website has information and services to support young people through any problems – big or small.

Headspace

The website has information and services to support a young person going through a tough time.

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

Having a parent with a mental illness can be tough. But COPMI have a lot of information and videos to help you get your head around it all.

Support centres

headspace centres

If you need support, advice or just someone to talk to about a life problem, you can visit a headspace centre located around Australia and talk to mental health professional within a confidential and safe environment. Some centres also have specialist workers like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and family therapists. Call your closest headspace centre to make an appointment.

Online programs and apps

Bite Back

BITE BACK is a free, self-guided online wellbeing and resilience program for young people aged 13–16 years old. It uses a combination of fun, interactive activities, quizzes, animations and information across nine positive psychology domains including gratitude, optimism, flow, meaning, hope, mindfulness, character strengths, healthy lifestyle, and positive relationships.

Brave Program

The BRAVE Program is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free, and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries.