Your teenager used to be open with you. They would tell you about their day, their friends, what they were thinking about. Lately, they have pulled away. They spend hours in their room. They seem irritable, tired, or distant. When you ask if they are okay, they say “I’m fine” and shut the conversation down.
You notice other things too. Their grades have slipped. They have stopped hanging out with friends. They sleep too much or cannot seem to sleep at all. You catch glimpses of worry or sadness on their face when they think no one is looking.
You want to help, but you do not know how. Every attempt to talk feels like it pushes them further away. You might be searching teen anxiety Colorado, signs of depression in teenagers, or how to talk to my teen about therapy, feeling a mix of concern, confusion, and helplessness.
At Better Lives, Building Tribes, we work with many families navigating teen mental health. You are not alone, and your instincts to reach out are important. This article will help you understand what anxiety and depression look like in teens, how to support your child without pushing them away, and when to seek professional help.
Why Teen Mental Health Is Struggling Right Now
Adolescence has always been hard, but today’s teens face unique pressures. Social media creates constant comparison and fear of missing out. Academic expectations feel overwhelming. World events like climate change, school shootings, and political instability add layers of anxiety. The pandemic disrupted critical developmental years for many teens, leaving lasting effects on social skills and emotional wellbeing.
Colorado teens face additional challenges:
- High altitude effects. Research suggests high altitude may be linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety.
- Pressure to be outdoorsy. Colorado culture celebrates outdoor activities. Teens who do not enjoy skiing, hiking, or camping can feel like outsiders.
- Rapid community changes. Many Colorado families are new to the area or have experienced significant community shifts, which can disrupt teens’ sense of stability.
Your teen is navigating all of this while their brain is still developing, hormones are shifting, and they are trying to figure out who they are.
Signs Your Teen Might Be Struggling With Anxiety
Anxiety in teens does not always look like panic attacks or obvious worry. It can show up in subtle, confusing ways:
- Avoidance. They stop participating in activities they used to enjoy. They make excuses not to go to school, social events, or family gatherings.
- Physical complaints. Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick without a clear medical cause.
- Perfectionism. Extreme stress about grades, appearance, or performance. Meltdowns over small mistakes.
- Irritability. Snapping at family members, seeming on edge, or overreacting to small frustrations.
- Sleep problems. Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or wanting to sleep all the time.
- Reassurance seeking. Repeatedly asking if things are okay, if people are mad at them, or if they did something wrong.
Anxiety is not laziness or defiance. It is their nervous system sending danger signals even when there is no actual threat.
Signs Your Teen Might Be Struggling With Depression
Depression in teens can look different from depression in adults. Common signs include:
- Withdrawal. Isolating from family and friends. Spending excessive time alone in their room.
- Loss of interest. Not caring about things they used to love. Everything feels boring or pointless.
- Changes in sleep or appetite. Sleeping too much or too little. Eating significantly more or less than usual.
- Low energy. Seeming tired all the time, even after adequate rest. Describing feeling “heavy” or “numb.”
- Mood changes. Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability. Crying more easily or seeming emotionally flat.
- Self criticism. Talking negatively about themselves. Saying things like “I’m worthless” or “Nobody cares about me.”
- Risky behaviors. Using substances, engaging in self harm, or talking about not wanting to be alive.
If your teen is expressing thoughts of self harm or suicide, take it seriously. Call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or take them to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait to see if it passes.
Why Your Teen Might Not Want To Talk To You
It is painful when your teen shuts you out, but their withdrawal is not personal. Several factors make it hard for teens to open up:
- Fear of judgment. They worry you will think they are overreacting or being dramatic.
- Shame. They might feel embarrassed about struggling or worry they are letting you down.
- Developmental stage. Teens are biologically wired to seek independence and turn to peers, not parents, for support.
- Past responses. If they have tried to share in the past and felt dismissed, criticized, or like you tried to immediately fix it, they might be hesitant to try again.
- Protecting you. Some teens do not want to burden their parents, especially if they sense you are stressed or struggling too.
Understanding these barriers can help you approach conversations with more compassion and patience.
How To Talk To Your Teen Without Pushing Them Away
Supporting your teen means creating space for them to open up without forcing it. Here are some strategies:
Start With Curiosity, Not Concern
Instead of asking “What’s wrong?” try “I’ve noticed you seem quieter lately. I’m here if you want to talk.” This opens the door without making them feel interrogated.
Listen Without Fixing
When your teen does share, resist the urge to immediately solve the problem. Just listen. Validate their feelings by saying things like “That sounds really hard” or “I can see why you would feel that way.”
Normalize Struggle
Let them know that struggling does not mean something is wrong with them. You might share your own experiences with anxiety or hard times (age appropriately) to show them they are not alone.
Create Low Pressure Opportunities
Some teens find it easier to talk while doing something else, like driving, walking, or cooking together. Side by side activities can feel less intense than face to face conversations.
Respect Their Privacy, But Set Boundaries
Your teen deserves privacy, but safety comes first. Let them know you trust them, but if you are worried about their wellbeing, you will need to step in.
Avoid Minimizing Or Comparing
Phrases like “It’s not that bad” or “When I was your age…” can shut down communication. Even if their struggles seem small to you, they feel huge to them.
When To Seek Professional Help For Your Teen
Many parents wait too long to seek therapy, hoping things will improve on their own. While some struggles are temporary, professional support can make a significant difference.
Consider therapy if:
- Your teen’s mood or behavior has changed significantly and persists for more than a few weeks.
- They are avoiding school, activities, or relationships they used to value.
- Their functioning is impaired (grades dropping, sleep disrupted, self care declining).
- They express feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or suicidal thoughts.
- They are using substances, self harming, or engaging in risky behaviors.
- Your relationship with them is strained and you need support navigating it.
Therapy is not a last resort. It is a proactive step toward giving your teen tools to navigate a difficult season.
How Therapy Helps Teens With Anxiety And Depression
Therapy provides teens with a safe space to talk without judgment. Many teens find it easier to open up to a therapist than to their parents, which is normal and healthy.
At Better Lives, Building Tribes, therapy for teens might include:
- Building coping skills. We teach practical tools for managing anxiety, regulating emotions, and navigating stress.
- Exploring underlying issues. We help teens understand what is driving their symptoms, whether it is social pressure, trauma, family dynamics, or something else.
- Improving communication. We help teens express their needs and feelings more effectively.
- Strengthening relationships. We work on rebuilding connection with parents and peers in ways that feel supportive, not suffocating.
- Addressing trauma. If past experiences are contributing to current struggles, we use trauma informed approaches to help teens heal.
We offer virtual therapy for teens across Colorado, which can feel less intimidating than going to an office. Teens can access sessions from home, which often feels more comfortable.
How Parents Can Support Their Teen During Therapy
Your teen’s therapy is their space, but you play an important role in their healing. Here is how you can support them:
- Respect their privacy. Do not demand details about what they talk about in therapy unless they choose to share.
- Follow through on recommendations. If the therapist suggests changes at home (like adjusting screen time or creating routines), do your best to implement them.
- Consider family sessions. Many therapists offer family sessions to help parents and teens communicate better.
- Take care of yourself. Supporting a struggling teen is exhausting. Make sure you have your own support system.
- Be patient. Therapy takes time. You might not see immediate changes, but progress is happening even when it is not visible.
How Better Lives, Building Tribes Supports Teens And Families
At Better Lives, Building Tribes, we understand that teen mental health affects the whole family. We work with teens individually and offer family support to help everyone navigate this challenging season.
Our approach is:
- Warm and nonjudgmental. We create a space where teens feel safe to be honest without fear of criticism.
- Trauma informed. We understand how past experiences shape current behavior and mental health.
- Developmentally appropriate. We tailor our approach to where your teen is developmentally and emotionally.
- Focused on connection. We help teens build relationships and a sense of belonging, which are foundational to mental health.
Next Steps: Getting Support For Your Teen In Colorado
If your teen is struggling with anxiety or depression, you do not have to navigate this alone. Therapy can help your teen build the skills they need to feel more stable and connected.
To start therapy for teens with Better Lives, Building Tribes:
- Visit betterlivesbuildingtribes.com/ to learn more about our services for teens and families.
- Schedule a session with Dr. Meaghan Rice or another therapist on our team through the booking link on our site.
- Reach out via our contact form to ask questions or find out if we are a good fit for your family.
Your teen does not have to struggle alone, and neither do you. We are here to help.
