Tips for Parents to Promote Good Mental Health in Their Children

Based in Colorado, the El Pueblo Boys’ & Girls’ Ranch, Inc., provides treatment for youths with 

mental and behavioral health challenges. At El Pueblo…an Adolescent Treatment Community, 

young people with behavioral disorders gain access to therapeutic care, drug and alcohol 

education, and psychiatric services. Maintaining positive mental health in young people often 

begins with encouraging parents to model healthy behavior in the home. The following tips can 

help parents to promote good mental health in their children: 


1. During adolescence, children experience emotional and physical transitions that can cause 

intense feelings of anxiety. If parents establish themselves as honest and open communicators, 

teens may feel more comfortable discussing their fears and anxieties, leading to a deeper level of 

trust in the relationship. Parents who maintain a trusting relationship with their teenagers can 

help to make them feel more secure. In addition, it may make it easier for parents to address 

areas of concern in a productive manner. 


2. Parents can learn to look for specific signs that their teenagers may be experiencing a mental 

health disorder. Excessive sleep, a diminished academic performance, and substance abuse are 

examples of behaviors that can all point to a larger mental health issue that needs to be 

addressed. 


3. For parents who are unsure of how to help their children maintain a positive mental state, it 

may be a good idea to consult a professional. Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other health 

professionals can help point parents to resources that specifically cater to the mental health needs 


of their adolescents.