Teen Mental Health: Building Resilience Through Positive Friendships

Laurie Moser . Published November 13, 2023

Source: unsplash

Friendships are vital to our mental health. As a mom to a teen struggling with mental health challenges, my friendships got me through the worst times. Having a friend that listened to me without judgement and real empathy and compassion made me feel seen, heard, supported and understood at a time when I felt so alone, scared and hopeless.

Having healthy friendships can change the quality of our lives. I believe that we can get through anything when we have the support of friends and loved ones.

When are teens struggle with mental health challenges, forming friendships can be another challenge, what do we do as parents, how can we help? Gone are the days of setting up forced play dates. But don’t despair, we can still help.

Her are six practical ways to help your teens build, keep, and nurture healthy friendships.

Why Healthy Friendships Matter:

1. Emotional Support:

Healthy friendships offer a crucial support system for teens as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence. Knowing they have friends who understand and care about them provides emotional stability and a sense of belonging. This is a crucial time in your teen’s life to find out who they are, independently of you.

2. Social Skills Development:

Building and maintaining friendships helps teens develop essential social skills. Social skills might be a big area where your teen is struggling. Developing even 1 or 2 healthy friendships can make a huge difference in your teen’s life. Through interactions with peers, they learn effective communication, conflict resolution, and empathy—skills that are valuable not only in their current relationships but also in their future endeavours.

3. Reduced Feelings of Isolation:

Adolescence can be a time of heightened self-consciousness and isolation, especially coming out of Covid. Healthy friendships provide a counterbalance by creating a sense of connection and community. Feeling socially connected is crucial for mental health and resilience. We need to feel part of a tribe.

4. Increased Self-Esteem:

Positive friendships contribute to a teen's sense of self-worth. When they feel accepted and valued by their friends, it boosts their confidence and self-esteem. This, in turn, lays the foundation for a positive self-image.

5. Stress Reduction:

Friends can be a source of comfort and joy, acting as a buffer against stress. Spending time with supportive peers allows teens to relax, have fun, and share experiences, reducing the impact of stressors they may encounter. Being a teenager in today’s world is a stressful experience.

6. Peer Influence on Positive Behaviours:

Healthy friendships encourage positive behaviours. When teens surround themselves with friends who prioritize well-being and make positive choices, they are more likely to adopt similar behaviours. Positive peer influence can be a powerful motivator for making healthy decisions. Peers have a huge influence on each other, having healthy friendships will have a direct correlation with how your teen acts and feels.

Practical Tips to Build Healthy Friendships:

1. Encourage Open Communication:

Teach your teens the importance of open and honest communication in friendships. Encourage them to express their feelings, listen actively, and communicate their needs effectively. Talk to your teen about establishing boundaries with their friends.

2. Promote Inclusivity:

Encourage inclusivity by helping your teens be inclusive in their social circles. Discourage exclusionary behaviour and promote kindness, ensuring that everyone feels welcome.

3. Teach Conflict Resolution Skills:

Provide guidance on resolving conflicts constructively. Teach your teens how to express their feelings, listen to others, and find compromises that strengthen rather than strain friendships. It’s an important skill for your teen to recognize and acknowledge, that just because your friend doesn’t agree with you on an issue, doesn’t mean you can’t be friends or understand and respect each other’s differences.

4. Set Healthy Boundaries:

Help your teens understand the importance of setting healthy boundaries in friendships. This includes respecting each other's personal space, opinions, and individuality.

5. Lead by Example:

Model healthy friendships in your own life. Show your teens the value of positive peer connections through your own relationships, highlighting qualities like loyalty, trust, and mutual support. Ask yourself, what does your friend group look like? Are you prioritizing friendships in your life?

6. Build Independence:

While it's essential to guide your teens, allow them the space to develop friendships independently. Encourage them to pursue their interests, join clubs or activities, and form connections based on shared passions. Does your teen love animals, art, sports or robotics? Find out what they enjoy and go from there, helping them build new friendships.

Healthy friendships are a vital part of your teen's mental health journey. By emphasizing emotional support, social skills development, reduced isolation, increased self-esteem, stress reduction, and positive peer influence, you empower your teens to build lasting, meaningful connections that contribute to their overall mental health and well-being.

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).