Breaking the Silence: How Moms Can Find Strength and Connection in the Face of Teen Mental Health Challenges
Laurie Moser . Published December 18, 2023
Source: unsplash
When I look back on the most challenging and heart wrenching time of my life, it was helping my daughter navigate her mental health challenges. I felt so alone, heart broken, and failure as a parent. I didn’t know what to do to help my daughter. That feeling of helplessness just breaks you down and tears away at your very being as a parent. I loved my daughter and desperately wanted to help her. So, why was nothing working?
It took a few trials and errors of doing different things to realize that first of all, I couldn’t control or fix my daughter’s mental health challenges BUT I could control taking care of my own mental health and wellbeing. This is how my practice of self-care started. Self-care is NOT just about doing something for yourself, self-care, must include working with others on our journey. The best self-care I did for myself, was joining an amazing, caring and supportive group of like-minded parents on a similar journey who understood what I was going through. To feel understood, heard and valued is life-changing on this difficult parenting journey!
Here are some six compelling reasons why YOU need this vital support network as part of your self-care practice:
1. Shared Understanding and Empathy:
Being part of a community that understands the unique challenges of parenting a teen with mental health struggles provides an empathetic support system. Fellow moms in similar situations can offer a listening ear, share their experiences, and provide invaluable insights that help you feel less alone in this journey.
2. Emotional Resilience:
Parenting teens with mental health challenges can be emotionally draining. Having a supportive community allows moms to express their feelings openly without fear of judgment. Through shared experiences, moms can build emotional resilience, finding strength in the understanding that they are not the only ones facing these difficulties.
3. Practical Tips and Resources:
In a supportive community, moms can exchange practical tips, resources, and coping strategies. I learned new parenting tools and strategies from other moms that changed how I parented. Whether it's recommending a helpful therapist, suggesting effective communication techniques, or sharing information about local support services, the collective wisdom of a community becomes an invaluable asset in navigating the intricacies of teen mental health.
4. Breaking the Stigma:
By connecting with other moms facing similar challenges, you contribute to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Open conversations within a supportive and caring community help normalize discussions about mental health, fostering a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. The more open, honest and vulnerable discussions we have about mental health and normalizing it, the better for everyone!
5. Preventing Isolation:
Parenting a teen with mental health challenges can be isolating. Moms may feel like they're the only ones going through this, leading to a sense of loneliness. Feeling alone and isolated is devastating for our mental health. We’re meant to connect, collaborate and help each other. A supportive community provides a lifeline against isolation, creating a network of understanding individuals who share similar struggles and triumphs.
6. Strengthening the Parent-Teen Bond:
Building connections with other moms can indirectly strengthen the bond between you and your teen. By understanding that you are not alone in this journey, you can approach parenting challenges with a more grounded perspective. This, in turn, fosters a healthier environment for communication and understanding within your family. Be the role model for your teen. When they see you getting help, support and connection, they’re more likely to do the same.
The path of parenting a teen with mental health challenges is undeniably challenging as a mom. However, seeking support, community, and connection is not a sign of weakness but a powerful strategy for overcoming these challenges. It's through shared experiences, empathetic understanding, and a collective effort that moms can find the strength to navigate the storm and emerge on the other side with resilience, confidence and hope.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey—lean on the support around you and find comfort in the shared strength of the community. We can do this together!
LAURIE MOSER
Laurie Moser is an advocate for moms’ mental health. Supporting moms who have teens with mental health challenges using self-care tools & group support. Laurie has been featured by Focus on the Family, Real Biz Moms, Tracking Happiness and a guest on 5 Minutes for Me App, Voice of Women (VOW) and I Never Knew (INK).
