Let’s Talk About Teen Mental Health: What Every Parent Should Know

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — and while mental health is important year-round, this month gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and recommit to prioritizing emotional wellness, especially for our teens.

Why Teen Mental Health Matters More Than Ever

The teen years are a time of major change: physically, emotionally, socially, and neurologically. Add in academic pressures, social media, identity exploration, and an uncertain world, and it’s no surprise that many teens feel overwhelmed.

Here are just a few realities we’re seeing in our work at Thrive Well:

• More teens are reporting anxiety and burnout

• Sleep struggles, isolation, and emotional reactivity are common

• Many teens are functioning on the outside but feeling disconnected or dysregulated on the inside

• Many teens want to connect with their parents and friends on a deeper level, but don't know where to start

This doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with them. It means they need support — and a safe place to sort through it all.

Signs Your Teen Might Be Struggling (Even If They’re Not Saying It)

Teens don’t always have the language to say “I’m not okay.”
But they may show it in other ways:

• Withdrawing from friends or family

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Irritability or emotional outbursts

• Constant overwhelm or perfectionism

• Saying “I’m fine” when you know they’re not

If you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s not about fixing them — it’s about partnering with them.

How to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

• Start with connection, not correction.
  Teens are more likely to open up when they feel safe — not judged.

• Normalize mental health conversations.
  Talk about therapy, stress, and boundaries like you talk about homework and meals.

• Model what you want them to internalize.
  If they see you take care of your own mental health, it gives them permission to do the same.

• Know when to call in support.
  Therapy can be a game-changer — not just in crisis, but as a proactive, grounding space.

At Thrive Well, our team of licensed therapists creates space for teens and families to grow, explore, and feel supported — especially in the messy, in-between seasons.

Final Thoughts

Mental health is health.
And your teen doesn’t need to be “in crisis” to benefit from support.

Let’s keep reducing stigma, normalizing care, and reminding our teens that asking for help is a strength — not a weakness.