Teens today face significant mental health challenges, and while many turn to their parents for support, they often feel misunderstood or dismissed. To bridge this gap, a new initiative has been launched to educate parents on how to better support their teens’ emotional well-being.
According to recent data, 55% of teenagers between the ages of 10 to 24 experience mental health issues. Of these, one in five report symptoms of depression, and one in four report experiencing symptoms of anxiety. These figures highlight a critical need for supportive resources for both teens and their parents to address mental health concerns.
One of the major obstacles is that, despite their challenges, teens are more likely to seek help from their parents than from other adults or professionals. However, many teens feel that their parents do not fully understand their experiences and, instead of offering a listening ear, often provide solutions or dismiss their feelings.
To combat this, the Sound It Out campaign, a nationwide initiative developed by the Ad Council in partnership with Pivotal, is working to raise awareness and educate parents on how to respond to their teens’ emotional struggles in a more effective way. The campaign focuses on fostering open, empathetic communication between parents and teens, offering new resources to help parents become more engaged in their children’s mental health.
The Role of Parents in Supporting Teen Mental Health
In a recent discussion with Dr. Chairman F. Jackman and Dr. Regina Miranda of Sound It Out, the importance of listening rather than immediately offering solutions was highlighted as a key strategy for parents. Dr. Jackman emphasized that, often, the best way for parents to support their teens is not through advice but by creating a space where teens feel heard and understood. He noted that teens often feel overwhelmed and misunderstood, and simply having someone listen can make a significant difference in their emotional health.
“Parents need to recognize that they do not always have to fix everything,” said Dr. Jackman. “Sometimes, offering empathy and simply being there can help teens feel supported, especially when they may not be ready to talk about their issues immediately.”
Sound It Out’s Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
As part of this initiative, Sound It Out has produced a series of PSAs aimed at educating parents and caregivers about their pivotal role in supporting their teens’ mental health. These PSAs stress the importance of active listening, encouraging parents to engage with their children in a way that validates their feelings without rushing to fix the problem.
The campaign also addresses the need for reducing stigma around mental health issues. Many parents and caregivers may feel uncomfortable discussing mental health, either because they lack knowledge or because of cultural or generational barriers. The Sound It Out campaign works to normalize these discussions, aiming to make it easier for both teens and their parents to seek help when needed.
Bridging the Gap Between Teens and Parents
The Sound It Out campaign is more than just a series of PSAs — it’s a comprehensive initiative designed to help parents better understand their role in supporting their teens. Through this campaign, Pivotal and the Ad Council hope to encourage more open dialogue about mental health within families and equip parents with the tools they need to help their teens navigate the emotional and mental challenges that come with adolescence.
By fostering better communication and understanding, the goal is to reduce the stigma around mental health, empower parents to provide the right kind of support, and ultimately improve the mental health outcomes for young people.
Parents who want to learn more about how they can support their teens are encouraged to visit the Sound It Out campaign website for resources, tips, and strategies to engage with their teens in a more empathetic, effective way.
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