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Should I worry my moody teen is sulking too long? Find out here

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Teen with counselor looking stressed

In this article, you’ll find answers to questions like:

1. What are red flags for emotional issues?
2. What are specific signs?
3. Who can help?

 

It’s no surprise your preteen or teen is moody, right? But how often, and how long, is OK?

Teenage angst typically lasts a few days. But prolonged behavioral changes — when your teen is sad for two weeks or longer — can indicate a mental health concern, says Renée Layman, president and chief executive officer for the Center for Child Counseling, Inc., which is funded in part by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County.

Children express mental health issues differently than adults. Parents and caregivers should trust their judgment and instinct on figuring out if the nature, intensity, severity and duration are out of character for the child.

 1. WHAT ARE RED FLAGS FOR EMOTIONAL ISSUES?

 “Warning signs or red flags that your child may be struggling with mental health issues are if the behavioral changes are intense or out of proportion to stress or changes in the environment, which can include shutting down emotionally or displays of physical aggression,” Layman says. "A depressed child may show more irritability, where an adult typically shows sadness.”

Keep an eye out for social media obsession, or rapid weight loss or gain.

“Your teen may experience intense emotions, especially revolving around friendships and boyfriend/girlfriend drama,” Layman says. “Things that may not seem like a big deal to you may seem overwhelming and world-ending to your teen.”

Helping teens cope with grief, dealing with divorce, school shootings and sexual abuse are some of the subjects of videos available for free viewing on the Center for Child Counseling  website and its YouTube channel.

2. WHAT ARE SPECIFIC SIGNS?

  • Mood changes, such as sadness, withdrawal, mood swings
  •  Wanting to hurt others, aggression, self-harm
  •  Intense feelings such as worries, fears, anxiety
  •  Headaches or stomach aches
  • Trouble focusing or sitting still

 3. WHO CAN HELP?

Early detection is the key. The community/crisis helpline at 211 is available 24 hours a day. Crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information, assessment and referrals for all ages are addressed by trained specialists. You can also chat with them online. Specialists speak English, Spanish and Creole. Interpreters in other languages are available.

“We direct callers to services such as health clinics, food pantries and cultural centers like The Caridad Center. Calls to 211 and online screening tools are free and confidential,” says Patrice Schroeder, Community Relations specialist for 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast.

Parents can call Palm Beach County's Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative, to assess children's needs and get access to mental health services. The Center for Child Counseling is one of those organizations, at 561-244-9499.

SOURCES:

• Kristina Baker, chief executive officer of Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches

• Patrice Schroeder, Community Relations specialist, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
• Renée Layman, chief executive officer, Center for Child Counseling

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Related resources

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    • Health
    • Other

    Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches

    Based in West Palm Beach, local information and services related to mental health, including support groups, referrals and an online screening test.

    561-832-3755 Website
    • Behavior
    • Health
    • Parenting

    Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative - Palm Beach County

    A collaboration of five local mental health agencies that assess and treat children's serious behavioral, emotional or mental health problems

    561-244-9499 Website
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    • Parenting

    Community Partners

    Positive Parenting Program, known as Triple P — free seminars and one-on-one guidance to help families improve their parent-child relationships

    561-841-3500 Website