Talking about mental health with teens can be difficult. Using open-ended questions allows teens to express themselves in their own words. Below are some questions to help initiate conversation and encourage communication with teens.
Ice Breakers
Sometimes, you need a way to connect with a teenager and spark a discussion.
• If you could choose anyone to narrate your life reflections, who would it be?
• What is one of the most adventurous things you’ve done?
• Where is a place you would really love to visit?
• If you could be on any game show, which one would you pick?
• What superpower would you choose and why?
• If you had $1,000 to spend, how would you use it?
• What is your favorite activity to do with friends?
• What is your dream car?
• If you could take a trip anywhere with three people, where would you go and who would you bring?
• What was your favorite childhood movie?
Guiding the Conversation Toward Mental Health
Incorporate these questions into your discussions to encourage teens to explore their feelings and experiences in a deeper context.
• When do you feel discouraged?
• When do you feel most vulnerable?
• What is something you appreciate about yourself?
• What is something you’re looking forward to in the next six months?
• What is one regret you have from last week?
• What was the best part of your week?
• What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?
• What personal tragedy have you managed to overcome?
• Can you identify one strength and one weakness?
• What are one short-term goal and one long-term goal you have?
WHY IS MENTAL WELLNESS IMPORTANT?
Youth mental health is a crucial area of focus. In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, there are 1.5 million young people aged 10 to 24. An estimated one in five, roughly 300,000, have a diagnosable and treatable mental illness, yet fewer than half seek help.
Quick Facts
• One in four teens face bullying, and three out of five witness bullying regularly.
• One in six teens engage in self-harm, compared to one in 100 adults.
• High stress is the primary trigger for teenage depression.
• Depression is the leading cause of suicide among teens.
• Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death among teens in Texas.
• In the DFW Metroplex, two young people die by suicide each week.
• Eight out of ten young individuals who take their own lives show warning signs of their intentions.
Here are some common signs that may indicate your teen requires support:
• Persistent depressed or irritable mood
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
• Decreased interest or pleasure in activities
• Significant changes in appetite or eating habits
• Noticeable weight loss or gain
• Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
If you notice three or more of these symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, along with a significant change in your child’s functioning, consider having your teen assessed by a physician or mental health professional.
