Worried about your teen's mental health? A psychiatrist answers 5 questions every parent is thinking.

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It seems to happen overnight.

One day, your kid's regaling you with another detailed recount of what happened in the playground at school that day or the very specific details of their most recent Minecraft build. The next, it's single-word answers, grunts or eye-rolls and head-shakes at your "lame" attempts to engage with them. 

The communication tap gets turned off somewhere along the road to adolescence, leaving us in the dark when it comes to what's going on in our kids' heads. 

Sure, teens are known for being emotional and unpredictable — but where's the line between normal angst and something deeper that needs support?

To help answer all our questions, I spoke with Professor James Scott — a Child and Youth Psychiatrist and the Director of Ramsay Clinic New Farm's Youth Mental Health Service.

So, what's normal, and what's not?

"It's actually very difficult to tell the difference," said Scott.

"Teenagers often don't tell their parents what they're going through, and studies show that young people's own assessments of their mental health and their parents' assessments are often completely unaligned."

But there are some red flags to watch for, especially when changes are persistent and interfere with your teen's daily life.

"The key signs are changes that persist for more than a few days and cause significant distress or problems in functioning," he explained. "Things like difficulty sleeping, changes in eating, withdrawing from friends, refusing to go to school or no longer enjoying activities they used to love."

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue facing teens today, according to Scott. And it's often linked to internal pressure.

"Young people today have incredibly high expectations of themselves. Many are excessively self-critical and deeply afraid of being negatively judged by others," he said. "That kind of pressure doesn't lead to happiness and wellbeing."

Where do I start?

If you're worried about your teen's mental health, take a beat. 

While it's natural for us to want to jump straight into problem-solving mode by booking a GP appointment, finding a psychologist or outsourcing the issue, Scott urged us to slow down and start with something much simpler: connection. 

"It's important for parents to invest in the relationship," he said. "That means being available, being curious and listening — really listening — without jumping in with advice or solutions. Simply feeling heard and loved is really powerful."

A strong, supportive relationship creates the safety your teen needs to open up. It also helps parents pick up on more subtle signs of distress that might otherwise go unnoticed.

When should I seek help?

If things aren't improving or your teen's still struggling despite your best efforts, it might be time to consider external support. But approach that conversation carefully. 

"You can't force a teenager into therapy and expect it to work," Scott explained. "You need to involve them in the process, explain what you're seeing and why you think professional support could help."

Instead of giving them a choice, frame it as a team effort. "You might say, 'I've noticed you're really struggling to get out of bed and I know you've been trying so hard. I think we could use some extra help. Let's go talk to someone together'."

He recommended starting with your family GP who can help refer you to the right services.

What other support options are there?

For families who need more than a single clinician's support, Ramsay Clinic New Farm is one option that offers comprehensive, specialised youth mental health service for adolescents and young adults.

The clinic treats a wide range of mental health conditions, from anxiety and depression, to early psychosis, trauma and complex personality vulnerabilities, with a focus on personalised, multi-disciplinary care.

Programs include inpatient care, day programs and outpatient services, all designed specifically for young people. The aim is to meet them where they are, providing a safe and inclusive environment that supports their unique needs.

"It's not a one-size-fits-all approach," Scott explained. "Some young people need a psychiatrist, psychologist and occupational therapist all working together. Others may need more intensive support to get back on track."

The team at Ramsay Clinic New Farm work as a unit, with psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and therapists all collaborating to build a tailored treatment plan that supports not only the young person, but their family too.

"It's about helping that young person stay engaged in life, whether that's school, relationships, hobbies or work," said Scott. 

"We focus on achieving a long-term functional recovery. We want them to get back to a place where they feel capable, connected and confident."

What can I do at home?

While professional support can help, Scott was clear: resilience begins in the home.

"I know families are busy. But building emotional capacity takes time, and teenagers need time," he said. "They also need to feel competent at something. Whether that's sport, music, maths or cooking, every young person should have something they feel proud of."

Creating that takes parental encouragement, patience and consistent support from a young age. There are no shortcuts or silver bullets here. 

Scott also wanted to remind parents to let kids take risks, make mistakes and learn from failure. "They're going to mess up sometimes. But that's part of growing up. Our job isn't to eliminate failure, it's to help them navigate it."

Head to Ramsay Clinic New Farm's website to find out more.

This information provided in this article is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. As with any medical condition, always seek health advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Feature Image: Getty.

Visit ramsaymentalhealth.com.au to find out more.
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