What Are the Best Resources for Teen Behavior Issues?

Families in need of assistance for teen behavior issues can gain resources from their schools, communities, mental health professionals, and online and digital tools. This article will provide comprehensive suggestions.

Table of Contents

• What Is More Than Normal Teenage Behavior?
• What Are the Best Resources for Teen Behavior Issues?
• How To Choose the Right Level of Care
• How BNI Treatment Centers Can Help
• FAQs

Key Takeaways

• Teens can be difficult to deal with, but when issues persist and interfere with daily life, it may be time to seek professional help.
• Various resources are available for families with teens struggling with behavioral and mental health issues, including those from schools, communities, mental health clinics, and the internet.
• Your child’s symptoms can indicate the most suitable level of care.

Introduction

The adolescent years can be challenging, but when they become more extreme than typical teen behavior, families may be unsure where to turn. This experience is not unusual. In fact, according to a National Library of Medicine study, about one in five teens has been diagnosed with mental or behavioral health conditions.

Fortunately, given the extent of the issue, various resources exist. Schools, communities, mental health professionals, and the internet offer information that explains how to handle conflicts and find the help you require.

This article tells you where to turn.

What Is More Than Normal Teenage Behavior?

Typical teenage behavior includes mood swings, irritability, and distancing from family, but these behaviors can cross into concerning territory when they become extreme or persistent. Here are some warning signs of mental health problems to look out for.

• Persistent sadness
• Frequent aggression and anger outbursts
• Declining grades and skipping school
• Social withdrawal
• Extreme mood swings
• Substance abuse beyone experimentation
• Risky behaviors, including unprotected sex, reckless driving, and self-harm
• Signs of ADHD, behavioral challenges, and other mental health issues
• Violent behavior
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Eating disorders and extreme weight loss

What Are the Best Resources for Teen Behavior Issues?

Families may find the resources they require through schools, the community, mental health professionals, and the internet. Here are some helpful tips for addressing teen behavioral health challenges through these channels.

School-Based Resources

• School counselors and psychologists: Counselors can talk to students and provide resources to families. A psychologist will provide a more formal assessment.
• Individualized Education Program (IEPs): Some schools offer IEPs, which involve an assessment of the teen’s behavioral issues and a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP).
• 504 Plan: This civil rights law prevents discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures students have the accommodations they need to learn in a comfortable setting.
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS): This is a schoolwide framework that ensures students who aren’t responding to the conventional schoolwork due to behavioral needs get individualized care.

Community and Nonprofit Resources

Families may also seek out care through community resources, many of which are free or low-cost. Crisis hotlines include:

• SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (free, confidential, 24/7, referral service)
• Boys Town National Hotline— 1-800-448-3000, available to parents and teens in crisis
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — For any mental health or safety crisis
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness — Offers a teen line, as well as family education and local chapters

You may also contact recreation facilities that provide youth programs to find out whether they offer counseling services.

Mental Health Professionals

If problems are severe, families may seek professional treatment for teen behavioral issues. Various outpatient treatments are available, allowing teens to continue socializing with friends and attending school while receiving the care they need. Popular options include:

• Licensed family therapists and clinical social workers: These professionals can work with teens individually or the family as a whole to assist with mental health problems and behavioral issues.
• Psychiatrists have the authority to prescribe medications, which may be necessary in treating more severe conditions.
• Treatment centers like BNI offer comprehensive services, including therapy, medications, and specialized adolescent treatment programs, providing a customized approach for a wide range of issues.

Families can ensure they find a reputable provider by consulting insurance directories, NAMI referral lines, and Psychology Today.

Online and Digital Tools

While the internet is full of good information, not all information is reliable. However, here are some reputable sources.

• Stress-Relieving Apps: Headspace for teens and Mindshift for anxiety are recommended, but will only address symptoms; they are not designed to treat the underlying problems that contribute to emotional pain.
• Online Communities: Parents may find comfort in joining online communities such as NAMI Family Support and Reddit r/Parenting. These offer a group therapy approach and may help families feel less alone, but do not offer professional advice.
• Other Online Resources: Many parents gather information online, but should try to stick to trusted sources, such as medically approved sites and blogs from reputable treatment centers. However, the information should be guided by professional support.

How To Choose the Right Level of Care

Early intervention is recommended when treating troubled teens. The sooner you address the issue, the easier it will be to manage and the less disruption your family and teen will experience. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reveals that prompt treatment leads to higher success rates and a reduced risk of more advanced behavioral issues.

However, when issues escalate, it’s essential to find care that meets your family’s needs.

Here’s how to determine where to seek help first.

• Mild/Emerging Conditions: School support, outpatient therapy
• Moderate/Persistent Issues: More intensive care and family therapy
• Safety concerns, such as self-harming behaviors and heavy drugs or alcohol: Hospitalization or PHP (partial care)

How BNI Treatment Centers Can Help

BNI understands that the teenage years can be difficult, especially if behavioral health issues exist. Our psychiatrist-owned and operated teen treatment center helps families navigate challenges, with an integrated treatment model that includes psychiatric oversight, family involvement, and evidence-based treatment. We specialize in serving teens with mental health and substance use disorders, ages 12-17, in Southern California across residential, PHP, and IOP levels of care.

Contact us to find out how we can help improve your teen’s life.

FAQs

How do I know if my teen is exhibiting typical behaviors or has a mental health issue?

The key factors in determining if your teen has an issue more serious than typical teenage rebellion are persistence, pervasiveness, and impairment. Testing boundaries and having bad days are normal. But if teens have issues in multiple settings (school, work, and social activities) that have lasted more than a few weeks and are impacting daily functioning, you may need to seek professional help.

How do I talk to my teen about getting help?

It’s best to approach your teen with connection, not correction. Open communication allows teens to express emotions without fear of punishment, aiding emotional processing. Explain that you care about them and don’t want to see them suffer. Avoid ultimatums and allow them to make decisions in the treatment plan. If the conversation keeps escalating, consider bringing in a therapist.

My teen refuses to see a therapist. What do I do?

Young adults not wanting to see a therapist is a common issue for families. It may be best to start with a conversation rather than an appointment to find out how your teen feels about their emotional state. If they agree to help, start with an outpatient or telehealth visit, which may not feel overly clinical.

Sources

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6. CDC. “Data and Statistics on ADHD.” https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
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