Where else can teens turn for help if stress is weighing them down?
Seeking help to cope better with stress is not a sign of weakness for you or your teen. It shows that you want to improve your life skills and help your child develop the necessary skills for handling anything life throws at him or her. Find someone you and your teen trust and relate to – a school counselor, faith-based leader, health professional such as a personal physician or adolescent medicine specialist, a mental health professional, counseling center or employee assistance program – and do not be afraid to ask for help. There are many causes and types of stress, and there are many ways to relieve stress, so keep trying until you discover the combination of physical, emotional, spiritual, and other means that work for you and your family. Janet F. Williams, MD, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) tenured Professor of Pediatrics who has been a faculty member in the School of Medicine since 1986.
