Teen mental health: Strategies for building resilience and identifying crisis

Experts provide guidance for parents on supporting teenage mental health and identifying signs of crisis. To build resilience, Dr. Lucy Russell suggests the “RISE” framework: Respond flexibly, Identify strengths and support, Sustain energy, and Empower yourself. This approach encourages a growth mindset and helps adolescents manage setbacks through social support and practical skill-building.

Psychologist Collette Smart highlights four key warning signs that a teenager may be in crisis: withdrawal from social circles, increased risk-taking behavior, changes in academic performance, and expressions of hopelessness. Smart emphasizes that parents should look for patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents. She advises prioritizing emotional connection and safety over discipline during moments of distress, noting that crisis behavior is often a form of communication rather than defiance.