So you're the parent of a teen. Messy bedrooms, strops, moods and tears and very bad poetry—all normal, right? For the most part, yes, but dads of teens should know that the teenage years are often high-risk periods for the onset of many different mental health conditions.
The reason for this is complex: the causes of most mental illnesses remain unknown, although “causes” is certainly correct. Mental health (whether stellar or shattered) is due to a combination of factors: environmental, physical, psychological, and, yes, genetic. But being a teenager is never easy—imagine (or remember: eek!) trying to cope with raging hormones, social and academic pressures at school, love and lust, with extremely limited life experience. It's not really that fun, and some total freak-outs are expected.
However, you should always keep track of what's normal for your teen. Did they used to empty the fridge like a vacuum cleaner, but now only pick at what's on their plate? Are they usually a fluttering social butterfly, but have lately been spending loads of time holed up in their room? Have they gone from Mary Poppins to the Grinch in the last few months? Have they started wearing bulky sweaters even in the sultry months of summer?
If any of this sounds familiar, please visit
Young Minds for more information on teen mental health, or call their hotline for real-time advice. It's worth knowing that many teens feel more comfortable talking to their calm, stoic (emphasis on calm here) dads as opposed to their mums; it's a little unfair, in terms of post-feminism gender dynamics, but still: listen with an open mind, and don't hesitate to ask for help.