Young people in the United States are struggling with mental health and trauma at concerning rates, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.
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Teen girls, members of the LGBTQ community and Black and Hispanic teens are more likely to be facing serious mental health issues and fears of violence, according to the CDC. Nearly 60% of teen girls reported feeling persistent sadness in 2021, double that of teen boys.
What signs can parents look for in their kids and what can they do to help? Dr. Lovern Moseley, psychologist at Boston Medical Center, and Ivanna Solano, founder and executive director of Love Your Magic shared their insights on Greater Boston.
Moseley said parents should have open conversations with their children about what they're feeling day-to-day. She said to look out for signs and symptoms such as changes in their regular habits and attitudes.
This could be increased irritability, changes in diet, sleeping more or less than usual, withdrawing from activities and weight loss or weight gain.
"Doing something as simple as trying to engage with your child and not avoiding some of those hard conversations is the place to start," Moseley said.
Solano said when speaking with young people, listening to what they have to say about their feelings or difficult topics is crucial.
"We want to the shift that way that our young people see themselves. We want our young people to know that you are enough just as you are. You are beautiful, you are intelligent," Solano said.
Watch: Teen girls are facing depression and sexual violence at alarming rates. Look for these signs
