With school out and little structure to the day for most, many adolescents are looking forward to the freedom that comes along with summer vacation.
For some children and teens who struggle with mental health, the long, unstructured days could intensify feelings of isolation and hopelessness, which is why it is important for parents and caregivers to put in place a plan to keep adolescents on track.
Children and teens who struggle benefit when there is structure and routine introduced into their day.
To help students make the most of their time over the next few months, Rosecrance offers these tips:
- Engage them through volunteer work, summer school, park district programs, or other healthy activities.
- Set boundaries and establish a curfew.
- Encourage them to spend less time staring at a screen and more time exploring healthy ways to relieve stress.
- Strengthen your role as a support system. Have open, honest conversations about life stress and give teens a safe space to share their feelings.
- Watch for any behavior change, mood swings, altered sleep or eating patterns, or self-harm.
If you think your child may need assistance, contact us at 888.928.5278. Our caring staff will be happy to listen to your concerns and direct you to the right resources.