Unlocking Healthy Conversations: Strategies for Talking with Teens About Mental Health
In Part Two of our series on effective communication, Rebekah Gibbons, LICSW, will take participants through four common scenarios. In each scenario, she will teach parents and caring adults how to use communication strategies that work. You will learn how to validate your teen’s feelings and discuss sensitive topics.
A place to learn
At Families for Depression Awareness (FFDA), we focus on the families of people living with depression or bipolar disorder ("mood disorders"), equipping family caregivers with education and training so they can provide effective, constructive support to their loved ones.
Mood disorders affect everyone in a family, not only those with the diagnosis. Each family member should be able to have their needs identified and addressed.
In addition to passing along a higher likelihood of having a mood disorder, parents living with a mood disorder can find it hard to engage with their children, take care of household chores, do their work, and sometimes even to get out of bed.
Family caregivers risk wearing themselves out as they help their loved one seek treatment, manage the household and the family, and try to keep a roof over their heads.
Since our beginning, we have shared family stories to help caregivers feel like they are not alone, show that families can address mood disorders together, inspire hope, and dispel stigma. Each year, we add to our library of honest and inspiring accounts of families facing the challenges of mood disorders and suicide.
Personal Insights: Unpacking the Power of Psychiatric Advance Directives
Resolving the who, what, when, and how of treatment decisions during a mental health crisis can cause anxiety for caregivers and their loved ones. The person living with a mental health condition may worry about who will make decisions on their behalf, while the caregiver may wonder if decisions they need to make will reflect their loved one’s preferences and priorities. A written mental health crisis plan can alleviate anxiety and eliminate the guesswork for everyone involved.
Mental Health Crisis Planning: How to Develop a Proactive Strategy
Caregivers often find themselves hoping for the best, while preparing for the worst. When your loved one is facing a mental health crisis, they may not be able to communicate their preferences for care. For caregivers to be effective, they need to have the right resources and support. This is when having a crisis plan – which may include a Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) – becomes crucial.
Comprendiendo la DepresÃon en los Adolescentes
Cuando los adultos están capacitados para reconocer la depresión adolescente e intervenir con técnicas efectivas, los adolescentes con depresión tienden a tener mejores resultados. Este seminario web proporciona una descripción general de qué es la depresión adolescente; estrategias de comunicación para adolescentes y padres; Opciones de tratamiento; dónde conseguir ayuda; y qué hacer si se rechaza la ayuda. Si está preocupado por un adolescente, es nuevo en el tema, busca educación de manera proactiva o necesita un repaso sobre la depresión adolescente, este seminario web es para usted.
Bipolar Disorder and Genetics: What Caregivers Need to Know
Family caregivers of people living with bipolar disorder benefit from understanding as much as they can about genetics. During this expert interview, we explored what caregivers need to know about how bipolar disorder occurs in families, the role of genetics in bipolar disorder, and what signs are important, especially in young adults.