Don’t overlook these symptoms.

Life isn’t easy – especially for the teens in your life. There’s a pandemic. There’s social unrest. There’s school – sort of. It’s not uncommon for teens to struggle navigating life changes and feel lonely or isolated.

As many schools have recently opened their doors for in-person learning, October is the perfect month to rally around anti-bullying and emotional health. It’s National Bullying Month and October also hosts World Mental Health Day.

There’s no better time to talk to your child about bullying, mental health, kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Whether they’re being bullied or struggling with emotions, look out for the following – indicating a more serious issue:
• Struggle with concentration or thinking clearly
• Change in appetite
• Feeling sad/loss of interest in things they enjoy
• Poor hygiene
• Changes in sleep patterns

One out of two people who have mental health disorders began experiencing symptoms by age 14. Even more concerning, suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens.