Twelve Talks to

Have With Teens

The teen years are a time of rapid social, emotional and physical development. You can support the teen you love by talking to them about their strategies for dealing with the ups and downs, as well as talking to them about their hopes for next week, next year and even years from now.

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Right now, our teens are dealing with the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Teens often feel a great deal of pressure. They may have to navigate academic and social pressures, bullying and harassment, sexual assault, depression and anxiety, family instability, substance abuse, identifying as LGBTQIA+, relationship issues or so many other issues causing them stress. 

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• Even just asking  your teen about how they feel can help guide them toward finding their own hopefulness and coping strategies. When adults validate and normalize a variety of emotions like anger, happiness, sadness, hope and frustration, teens learn that it’s normal to have many different emotions (and some all at the same time) and they don’t need to be hidden or dealt with alone.

• Teens (and adults) need to practice healthy self-care and coping. Identifying and prioritizing healthy activities like getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising, listening to music, laughing with friends and doing things that your teen really enjoys can make a huge difference on how they feel emotionally. 

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• By offering consistent modeling and support to our youth, adults can help increase youth hopefulness and the use of healthy coping strategies

• Experts find that when adults support teens in managing their emotions and using coping skills, instead of trying to fix the teen’s problem for them, they learn resiliency. Let them know you are proud of them when they deal with challenges.

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• In 2017, 11 out of 30 students in Jefferson County Communities That Care focus area experienced depressive symptoms and 2 of every 30 students reported that they had attempted suicide in the past year. Communicate to your teen that seeking mental health care for depression or suicidality is a sign of strength. 

Help & Resources

• If you think your teen is having suicidal thoughts, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, and if they indicate that they are, please get help immediately. The Colorado Crisis Services Line provides confidential support, info and referrals to anyone in need. Text "TALK" to 38255 or call 1-844-493-8255

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• If you are looking for mental health care in Jefferson County, a good place to start is by calling Jefferson Center at 303-425-0300.

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• Learn to #BeThe1To offer support if someone you know struggles with hopelessness or thoughts of suicide. 

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• Jeffco Public Schools is investing deeply in suicide prevention efforts. Click here to learn more.

Other Recommended Resources

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Stress Management and Teens: This article provides suggestions for helping teens to decrease stress.

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Depression Resource Center: This resource provides frequently asked questions about depression and other resources for parents and youth.  
   

• Harvard Graduate School of Education article on Social Media and Teen Anxiety offers suggestions for ways that parents and caregivers can help their kids navigate the pressures of their digital lives — without pulling the plug on the positives
   

• Robbie’s Hope Resources is a Jefferson County youth-led initiative focused on suicide reduction. 

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• At Health Huddle Physical Health, the Gold Crown Foundation and Children's Hospital Colorado provide resources and articles on healthy habits for teens, updated weekly.
  
   

Taking Action in your Community

Reduction of risk factors, and improvements in protective factors, can happen on multiple levels-- within an individual, among friends and family, by adjusting systems in places like schools or businesses, and on the policy level for towns, counties or states.  When improvements happen on all levels, our teens are most likely to thrive. Here are some policy and systems you and/or your teens might be able to influence:

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• Many Jeffco Public Schools implement Sources of Strength, an evidence-based suicide prevention program led primarily by students, along with other social-emotional learning and mental health promotion efforts. 

  • Ask your school or teachers what trainings they receive and how they are implementing these types of programs and efforts to support all students in the school.

  • Advocate for funding and resources to be allocated for these important needs in schools. 

  • Ask your school how they are implementing health education (which includes social-emotional learning) for all students. Ask if the school knows about the district’s Health Education Policy and related resources. Ask/promote your teen to take a high school health education elective.

  • Ask your school what school health professionals are available to students and how students get access to these staff members. 

• The social-emotional learning and health education students receive (including information about mental and behavioral health) varies by school. 

  •  Ask your school how they are implementing health education for all students. Ask if the school knows about the district’s Health Education Policy and related resources. Ask/promote your teen to take a high school health education elective.

• Jeffco Communities that Care has efforts that promote positive youth development and address hopelessness and anxiety in youth.  

  • Join Jeffco CTC to address local efforts that support youth.

  • Youth with opportunities to get involved in their community through internships, town halls and fun activities are healthier and happier. Tell your teen about the @jeffco_ctc Instagram account that posts about positive coping and youth involvement opportunities (many are paid!).

• Having data in our county on youth identity and behaviors helps to bring in resources and support for youth.

  • Email the Jeffco Board of Education (see example letter here) to share your support for the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and Healthy Schools Smart Source to get important information on youth needs in our community. 

  • Join your School Accountability Committee and ask about using non-academic data and information (e.g., health information, climate survey data, etc.) to guide school improvement efforts and plans.