(StatePoint)
If you are the parent of an older child or teen, you may not think about his or
her day-to-day medical needs as often as you did during early childhood. But
older kids also are dependent on you, especially when it comes to emotional
health and wellness.
“Life
transitions, romantic situations, stress and exposure to drugs and alcohol are just a few of the challenges
facing teens and young adults,” says James Perrin, MD, FAAP, 2014 president of
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “As a parent, you can help ease these
transitions and encourage positive choices.”
May, which
is Mental Health Month, is a good time to take stock of your child’s emotional
well-being. The AAP offers these tips for parents to foster good mental health:
• At each new
stage in your childs life, be extra vigilant for signals that he needs extra
support. Be ready to provide it.
• Check in
often and keep the lines of communication open. If your child is away at
college or has moved out, speak regularly by phone. Children should know that
they can talk to you about anything. Be committed to broaching tough topics.
Talk about your own experiences and fears when you were an adolescent.
• If your
teen has a mental health diagnosis, he or she will need extra support. Pediatricians,
school counselors and mental health professionals are important resources.
• Watch for
mental health red flags, such as excessive sleeping, personality shifts,
excessive moodiness, noticeable weight loss or gain, excessive secrecy or signs
of self-harm.
• Don’t skip
the annual physical. Not only are teens still on a vaccination schedule, but
check-ups are a crucial opportunity to talk to your pediatrician about any
concerns, as well as diagnose any potential physical and mental health issues.
It’s also a great time for teens to seek confidential advice.
• Safeguard
your home against prescription drug abuse by keeping your own medications
locked. According to the AAP, prescription drug misuse by adolescents is second
only to marijuana and alcohol misuse. The most commonly abused prescription
drugs include Vicodin and Xanax.
• Provide
logistical support for young adults like completing health forms and physicals
for college; setting up accommodations at school if they have a mental health
diagnosis; finding physicians to care for their adult needs; and signing up for
health insurance. Your pediatrician’s office can help.
• Help limit
teens’ stress. Don’t encourage them to take on excessive time-consuming
extra-curricular activities. Avoid comparing your children. Every child has his
own strengths.
• Encourage
habits that reduce stress and promote physical and mental health, such as a
well-balanced diet, getting at least seven hours of sleep a night, and regular
exercise.
• At this
age, it’s important for parents to arm their older children with coping skills
that will serve them throughout life, rather than handling everything for them.
More health
tips for parents of older children, teens and young adults can be found at
www.HealthyChildren.org.
As your
child gets older, don’t let physical and mental health take a back seat to
other considerations.
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