You’re Not Alone
As a parent, there’s nothing more painful than watching your child struggle with mental health issues. When our teenager started showing signs of depression and self-harm, it felt like our whole world was flipped upside down. We quickly learned how vital it was to seek help, how deeply the pandemic impacted young minds, and just how much family support matters during tough times like these.
I want to touch on something that’s often hard to talk about—mental health in the Black community. There’s a real stigma around seeking help, and it’s something we’ve had to face head-on. Fear of judgment has too often stopped people from getting the support they need. But we have to remember that mental health issues are just as real and treatable as physical illnesses, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected all of us, but it hit teens extremely hard. The social isolation, the stress of school, and the constant uncertainty about what the future holds created the perfect situation for anxiety and depression to rise. Even though the pandemic ended, many teens are still feeling the aftershocks.
Our story began during the pandemic. We started noticing changes in our child—things like withdrawal, irritability, and deep sadness. We did not know where things were coming from. This was not the child we knew – the one who was so kind, loving, smiling all the time, and relatively happy. When we found out about the self-harm, it was a wake-up call; we knew we had to act fast.
We had open, honest talks with our child, letting them know they weren’t alone and that we were here for them no matter what. We sought professional help, and therapy became a big part of their healing process. Those early days were filled with fear and anxiety, wondering if they’d be OK. But we refused to give up and were committed to giving them all the support they needed.
I can’t emphasize enough how much our extended family helped. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins rallied around us, creating a loving, supportive environment for our child. They offered a safe space for our teen to open up and helped us manage the challenges that come with parenting a child facing mental health struggles.
Our faith was another pillar of strength during this time. We truly believe that healing is not just a medical process but a spiritual one, too. Our faith gave us hope and kept us grounded in the belief that we could overcome this together.
Tips for Supporting a Teen with Depression
Here are some things that helped us along the way, and I hope they might help you, too:
- Keep the conversation open: Create a safe space where your child can feel comfortable talking about their feelings.
- Get professional help: Contact a therapist or mental health expert who can guide you.
- Validate their emotions: Let them know what they’re feeling is real and you’re here to listen.
- Encourage healthy habits: Help them stick to routines that promote well-being, like regular exercise, eating well, connecting with friends, and getting enough sleep.
- Limit screen time: Too much screen time can worsen mental health issues.
- Take care of yourself, too: It’s important to look after your own mental health so you can be there for them fully.
To be completely honest, our family was dealing with more than just depression. During this time, my husband suffered a massive heart attack and two heart surgeries. The stress of it all certainly took a toll on our child. But by focusing on their needs and leaning on our family and community, we got through it together.
I’m so happy to share that both my husband and our child are doing well.
I’m sharing our story because I want other families to know there’s hope. You’re not alone, and there is help out there.