Time To Talk: Uncomfortable, But Important | Mental Health America

You are here

Time To Talk: Uncomfortable, But Important

Uncomfortable, But Important Starting The Conversation Talking To Your Parents

 

A Guide for Adolescents and Teens

It's hard to start the conversation about your mental health, but our guide can help you get started.

It's time to talk about your mental health when...

  • You just don't "feel right" and aren't sure why.

  • Your thoughts or things you do just don't seem the way other people think or behave.

  • Your thoughts, feelings or behaviors are starting to affect your life at home, school or with friends in a bad way.

  • You've had some of the signs and symptoms below for more than a week:

Feeling Sad

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless

Sensitivity to sound, sight, smell, or touch

Feeling Worried

Feeling overly worried

School or Work Tasks

Not being able to do school work

Brain Playing Tricks

Feeling like your brain is playing tricks on you and hearing knocking or scratching sounds, or your name being called

Loss of Interest

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, or withdrawal from others

Changes in Sleep

Changes in sleep patterns or energy levels

Irritability

Irritability or restlessness

Memory Problems

Problems with concentration, memory or thinking

Appetite Changes

Loss of appetite or overeating

Signs And Symptoms That You Shouldn't Ignore

  • Thoughts or plans of killing or hurting one's self or another person

  • Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see

  • Unexplainable changes in thinking, speech, or writing

  • Being overly suspicious or fearful

  • Serious drop in school performance

  • Sudden personality changes that are bizarre or out of character

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text 741741, go to your local Emergency Room or call 911.

Who Can You Talk To?

Find a person you trust. Someone who will listen to you, and help you plan your next steps. While this could be a family member (parents, grandparents, aunt, or uncle), you can also seek out resources at your school (nurse or guidance counselor), church (rabbi, pastor, youth group leader), or community (coach, neighbor).

Who To Talk To

Don't forget to visit the other pages.

Uncomfortable, But Important Starting The Conversation Talking To Your Parents

 

500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820
 Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone (703) 684.7722

Toll Free (800) 969.6642

Fax (703) 684.5968


Web Sponsor

Text Resize

-A +A

The links on this page may contain document data that requires additional software to open: