Resources for Youth

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. There is so much going on and some of it is very difficult to deal with. Failing a big test, being bullied, a break-up, that huge fight with a parent or friend, and pressure to succeed, belong and fit-in – it can all build up and, for some people, it can seem like things aren’t going to get better. These feelings can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Mental Health Services available to University/College students in Ottawa

Resources for Parents

As a parent or teacher, you observe first-hand the tremendous physical, mental, and social changes your child undergoes as they become an adult. At times, teenagers may struggle with feelings of stress and turmoil when dealing with a wide range of issues, including sexuality, intense emotional relationships, self image, family expectations, peer pressure to fit in, bullying, break-up of a family, alcohol and drug use, a major loss or trauma, and pressure to do well at school and work.

As adults we, for the most part, have developed healthy and adaptive coping mechanisms to deal with life’s challenges through our experiences. Younger people have had fewer opportunities to develop coping skills and a sense of perspective. What may feel like a short-term issue to an adult is often magnified for a youth and may not feel temporary at all.

3 Ways Parents Can be Proactive

Doing well in school, being isolated or teased, figuring out what they’re going to do with their life — “these are all things that kids have always worried about,” says Dr. Gail Beck, psychiatrist and clinical director of The Royal’s youth psychiatry program. Add in the pressures of a world that is constantly plugged in and an environment where drugs are readily available, and you get a whole bunch of new stressors. Parents can do a lot to help their child cope with the pressures of living in the 21st century.

Here are Dr. Beck’s tips:

1. Talk to your child about stress. Teach them not to panic when something they think is disastrous happens in their day — “nothing is as disastrous as it seems.” Let your child know that you are there to help find a solution that works for them. You could even check out The Royal’s HealthyMinds app together – it includes a problem solving tool that can help sort through difficult situations as well as breathing exercises to use when panic sets in.

2. Encourage your child to avoid kids who are mean. That goes for both the schoolyard and the digital landscape. “When they come across a situation where they are being mistreated, it is good to think ‘How would your parents like you to be treated? Is this new friend treating you the way your mother would want you to be treated?’"

3. Find ways to spend time with your child regularly. Life is busy, but even time spent traveling to and from school or other activities can give you precious time to talk. At the end of the day, ask how their day went, what they would change about it, or what they’re looking forward to.