Talking to your teenager about a problem

Talking is healing: 

Your older child might be happy to talk to you about things that are bothering them.  However, sometimes they feel unable to talk to their parents.  Encourage them to talk to someone they trust.

Emotional Well-being:

How a young person deals with the ups and downs of everyday life can have an impact on their emotional well- being. Here are some important things for both parents and young people to know and understand: 

• Encourage your young people to talk about how they are feeling.
• Everyone deals with issues or concerns in a different manner. What seems like a big deal to one teenager may not be to another. 
• A young person should appreciate the importance of ‘time out’ and relaxation to promote positive emotional well-being.
• Be familiar with local, specialised services.