Healthy Minds @ Highvale

Sean REDPATH DIGGLE

Mental Health Practitioner / School Psychologist

Talking About Mental Health: Starting the Conversation with Your Teen

It’s not always easy to know how to talk about mental health with young people. As they grow older, many young people become more private, and parents can feel unsure about how to approach sensitive topics without being met with eye rolls, silence, or “I’m fine.” But conversations about mental health are one of the most protective things we can offer our young people. They show that it’s okay to talk about feelings and that help is always available.

One of the best ways to start is by keeping things casual and calm. Choose a time when you’re both relaxed, maybe while driving, walking the dog, or cooking dinner together. Conversations often go better when they’re side-by-side rather than face-to-face. You don’t need to have all the answers; listening without judgment and showing genuine interest goes a long way.

You might start with something simple like:

“You’ve had a lot on your plate lately. How are you feeling about it all?”

“Sometimes I get stressed too. What helps you when you’re feeling that way?”

It can also help to share your own experiences with stress or worry. This normalises emotional ups and downs and lets your teen know that everyone struggles sometimes.

Look for opportunities to check in when things are calm, not just in moments of crisis. Regular and open conversations about your young person’s wellbeing build trust and make it more likely your teen will come to you when they’re struggling.

If your young person does share something that worries you, thank them for being honest and let them know you’ll figure out the next steps together. Sometimes that might mean reaching out to us, in the wellbeing team, your GP, or another trusted adult for extra support.

Talking about mental health doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to happen. Every open conversation strengthens connection, understanding, and resilience.