What are warning signs of a mental health problem in my teenager?
Some moodiness and pulling away is a normal part of adolescence, but a lasting change in mood, functioning, or behaviour deserves attention. Warning signs worth acting on include a persistent low or hopeless mood, withdrawal from friends and activities once enjoyed, big changes in sleep, appetite, or school performance, and — most urgently — any talk of self-harm or not wanting to be alive.
Points clés
- Some moodiness is normal in adolescence; the Canadian Paediatric Society points to duration, intensity, and impact to separate typical teen moods from a concern — changes lasting more than a couple of weeks, severe, or interfering with daily life.
- Warning signs worth a professional conversation include persistent low or hopeless mood, withdrawal from friends and activities once enjoyed, marked changes in sleep or appetite, and falling grades.
- Any mention of self-harm or suicide is an emergency: contact a crisis line, your provider, or emergency services right away and stay with your teen. Siegel's work stresses staying connected and approaching with calm curiosity, not interrogation.
Normal adolescence vs. a warning sign
Adolescence involves real emotional ups and downs and a healthy push toward independence. The Canadian Paediatric Society points to duration, intensity, and impact as what distinguishes typical teen moods from a concern: changes that last more than a couple of weeks, are severe, or interfere with daily life — friendships, school, family, self-care — are the ones to take seriously.
Signs worth a professional conversation
Persistent sadness, irritability, or hopelessness; loss of interest in friends and activities they used to enjoy; marked changes in sleep or appetite; falling grades or skipping school; increased risk-taking or substance use; talk of worthlessness or being a burden; and — always urgent — any mention of self-harm or suicide. Any expression of suicidal thinking is an emergency: contact a crisis line, your provider, or emergency services right away.
How to open the door
Siegel's work on the adolescent brain reframes this age as a period of important development, not just difficulty, and stresses staying connected. Approach with calm curiosity rather than interrogation, listen without rushing to fix, and take what your teen says seriously. Honour their growing autonomy while making clear you are there — and loop in professionals for anything touching safety or lasting change.
Les parents demandent aussi
- How do I tell normal teen moodiness from depression?
- Look at duration, intensity, and impact: changes lasting more than a couple of weeks, that are severe, or that interfere with friendships, school, or self-care deserve a professional conversation.
- My teen mentioned self-harm — what do I do?
- Treat any mention of self-harm or suicide as urgent. Contact a crisis line, your provider, or emergency services right away, and stay with your teen. This is not something to wait on.
Sources
- Canadian Paediatric Society — Caring for Kids
Duration, intensity, and impact separate typical teen moods from a concern; act on lasting or severe changes.
- Daniel Siegel — Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
Adolescence is a period of essential brain development; staying connected matters.