Supporting a Depressed Teen: Understanding Causes and Solutions

Supporting a Depressed Teen What can a parent do? John Sharry For professionals: parentsplus.ie For parents: solutiontalk.ie

Further Resources

Depression- A Continuum www.solutiontalk.ie

Causes and Solutions Apart from genetics, there are eight different causes for depression that you can do something about. Source: Johann Hari, Lost Connections www.solutiontalk.ie

Cause 1 Alienation from education Solution Find meaningful work that engages your talents and passions.

Cause 2 Loneliness and poor social support Solution Make friends and join social groups.

Cause 3 Trauma and adverse life events Solution Get support and talk about what has happened.

Cause 4 Inequality, oppression and poverty Solution Create equality and empower people to tackle oppression.

Cause 5 Junk Values If you think life is about money, and status and showing off, you're going to feel like crap Johann Hari Solution Focus on enduring values such as helping others, being a good friend, creative learning and making a difference.

Cause 6 Disconnection from Nature Solution Get outdoors, Walk in nature, Grow plants.

Cause 7 Lack of a hopeful future Solution Take action to create opportunity and a better world.

Cause 8 Habitual depressed thinking and behaving Solution Create new habits of thinking and behaving

Depressive Pattern of Coping Depressive Pattern of Coping Child experiences setback its useless, I ll be never able to do this Mood gets worse Gives up trying John Sharry www.solutiontalk.ie

Parent Parent- -Teenager Teenager depressive pattern of coping depressive pattern of coping Teenager depressed Parent gets down and gives up. Parent tries to reassure or dismiss depression Teenager resists or gets angry John Sharry www.solutiontalk.ie

Supporting a Depressed Teen What can a parent do? 7 Principles www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 1 Be Empathic www.solutiontalk.ie

Helping your teen talk Be around for potential chatting times (mealtimes, late night etc) Talk about ordinary day to day things first Identify when your teen is likely to talk Respond when your teen comes to you Be patient: provide no pressure to talk When you teen does talk, listen, listen, listen www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 2 Focus on what is going well www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 3 Appreciate your teenager s strengths www.solutiontalk.ie

Your teens strengths You are a very sensitive person You care a lot that what makes you feel low sometimes You think deeply about things www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 4 Gently challenge depressive thinking and behaviour www.solutiontalk.ie

Gentle challenges I think you are being a bit harsh on yourself Is that really true? Another way to think about that is What can you learn from this experience? What would make you feel better? Remember how you feel better once you start www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 5 Set small goals for action www.solutiontalk.ie

Small goals Basic self care: have a glass of water, come down for dinner, do a breathing exercise, stand in garden Relationships: ring a friend for five minutes, send an email, watch movie with parent Responsibilities: help with setting table, look after dog Work: read one page, do first part of homework www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 6 Establish a good family routine www.solutiontalk.ie

Principle 7 Reach out for support www.solutiontalk.ie

Support Options Your GP Mental Health Services - CAMHS Primary Care psychology Jigsaw.ie Pieta.ie Parentline.ie Aware.ie Barnardos.ie www.solutiontalk.ie

What can a parent do? Summary 1. Be empathic 2. Focus on what is going well 3. Appreciate your teenager s strengths 4. Gently challenge depressive thinking and behaviour 5. Set small goals for action 6. Establish a good family routine 7. Reach out for support www.solutiontalk.ie

Questions www.solutiontalk.ie