Talking to your teen about mental health doesn’t have to be uncomfortable  even though it might feel that way at first.  You might be worried about saying the wrong thing, making things worse, or being shut down with a shrug and an eye roll.

The truth is your teen wants to feel seen and supported — they just may not know how to show it.

Here’s some tips on how to open the door to honest, meaningful conversations — without it getting too awkward.

Start small — and stay calm

Big sit-down talks can feel intense or overwhelming for both you and your teen.  Instead, try bringing up mental health in small, everyday moments — like in the car, during a walk, or while doing something together like cooking or tidying up. This can make it feel more relaxed and less like a “big talk.”

Use openers like:
• “Hey, I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a bit off lately — want to talk?”
• “I’ve been reading a bit about mental health and how common stress and anxiety are for teens… do you ever feel that way?”

Even if they shrug it off at first, you’ve planted the seed that it’s okay to talk about this stuff.

Listen more than you speak

Sometimes the best thing you can do is just listen.  Try to resist the urge to fix, solve, or jump in with advice straight away.

Try using phrases like:
• “That sounds really tough.”
• “Thanks for telling me — I’m really glad you did.”
• “Would you like my help to find a solution, or do you just want me to listen?”

Being heard without judgment builds trust and trust is the foundation for honest conversations later.

Ditch the pressure to “make it better”

If your teen is struggling, your instinct might be to cheer them up, downplay the issue, or “look on the bright side.”  But this can unintentionally shut the conversation down.

Instead of saying:
🚫 “You’re overthinking it.”
🚫 “You’ve got nothing to be sad about!”
🚫 “You’ll be fine — don’t stress.”

Try:
✅ “That sounds really heavy — do you want to talk more about it?”
✅ “It’s okay to feel like this. I’m here for you.”

Normalize mental health — and ask for help when needed

Let your teen know that mental health is just as important as physical health — and it’s okay to ask for help. You might say:

• “Lots of people feel like this sometimes — it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.”
  • “Talking to someone like a counsellor can really help — it’s not a sign of weakness.”

And remember, if your teen isn’t ready to talk to you, remind them that they can talk to any adult that they feel safe and comfortable with from youth workers, GP’s, teachers, or mental health professionals.

“You don’t have to be a mental health expert — just a steady, safe person who’s willing to listen.”

 What to watch out for

If your teen is showing signs of ongoing distress — like withdrawing from friends, changes in sleep or appetite, or expressing hopelessness — it might be time to seek extra support. Don’t wait until things get worse. Early support makes a difference.

You’re not alone — and neither are they

We know parenting teens comes with lots of unknowns. If you’re worried about your child’s mental health or just not sure how to open the conversation, our team is here to help.

👉 Reach out  for support, resources, or just a chat. We’re here for you — and your teen.