Episode 290: Adolescent Mental Health: Expert Tips for Parents

10 Nov 2023 · 35 min
Episode

10 Nov 2023 · 35 min

0:00

In this episode of the Winey Palooza Podcast, host Rebecca Greene (a licensed clinical social worker and mother of three) interviews Dr. Debra Offner, a clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent development and school‑based mental health. The conversation begins with Dr. Offner’s personal journey into psychology, then moves to a broad overview of the adolescent mental‑health crisis—rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality over the past decade, amplified by COVID‑19, social‑justice upheavals, and economic uncertainty. They discuss the limited capacity of school counseling services, the role of social media (both as a connector and a source of harmful social comparison), and concrete red‑flag signs for parents. Dr. Offner emphasizes parental self‑care, modeling healthy stress management, and staying emotionally regulated for children’s benefit. The dialogue explores how teens navigate the “I‑know‑everything” developmental stage, the importance of fostering independence while providing appropriate safety nets, and the concept of emerging adulthood extending into the mid‑20s. A substantial portion is devoted to practical strategies for parents and teachers: building empathy, respecting each other’s expertise, communicating openly, and leveraging teachers’ broader observations of a child’s behavior. The episode concludes with resources for families—encouraging early therapy, using school counselors, remote services, and providing Dr. Offner’s contact information—followed by standard podcast promotional segments.

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