tips to monitor your child’s emotional wellbeing

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – While the mental health of children is improving across the country, data shows that there are still some serious challenges when it comes to teen substance abuse and suicide rates.

Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, dean of the NYU Silver School of Social Work and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work, is a researcher of child and adolescent mental health. Through his research, he is helping parents identify and support the challenges their children face.

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Louisiana ranks 27th among U.S. states by Mental Health America (MHA) based on the prevalence of mental illness and access to mental healthcare. According to new research from MHA, roughly one in six 12 to 17-year-olds experienced a major depressive episode in the last year, and one in 10 reported serious thoughts of suicide.

“Young people need our support like never before,” Dr. Lindsey said. “But there is good news. According to a study from Circle’s Youth Mental Health Tracker, 67% of youth found that talking to a family member was helpful with regard to their mental health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to open up ongoing supportive conversations with their kids.”

The Ad Council’s “Sound It Out” campaign recently launched a new podcast, “Listen In,” led by Dr. Lindsey and other mental health experts. It focuses on how parents can support their children’s wellbeing through bite-sized 10- to 15-minute episodes.

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“The campaign offers free, expert-vetted tools and resources to help open up productive conversation and help move beyond the ‘I’m fine’ response that oftentimes kids will give us,” Dr. Lindsey said.

The campaign can be found at sounditouttogether.org or on Instagram @sounditouttogether. It includes several resources, including warning signs to look out for in children.

“Kids often cope in ways that bring relief and do no harm, but it can be concerning if they’re coping in ways that are or can be destructive,” Dr. Lindsey said. “Some signs that a child may be struggling include a sudden change in behavior, sleep schedule, or appetite.”

To learn more or hear the “Listen In” podcast, visit sounditouttogether.org/podcast.

“You’re not alone in this,” Dr. Lindsey said. “You can reach out to your child’s school counselor or to relatives and friends. We’re all on the front lines, and we are able to support children when we are all aligned, all on the same page, and monitoring what’s going on.”

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