Hi @Dreptpkr, welcome to ReachOut and thanks for sharing that with us. Your experience is a common concern for a lot of parents. Teenagers can be hesitant to open up, reach out for help and can be quick to shut down. It is really tough for parents to navigate this space and it can be difficult for them to know what to do. Unfortunately, there isn't a standard approach that works for everyone. Some parents suggest opening up the conversation by sharing their own experience of mental health with their child. This can remind them that you were once a teenager as well and can empathise with what they are going through. This may or may not be appropriate, depending on your child and their personality and relationship with you. It is also important when talking to your child, to make sure you are listening in a way that is non-judgmental. Depending on the context, this might include accepting their experience and feelings, although you may not necessarily agree with it.
It sounds as though you are quite concerned about your son's well-being. You mention a few behaviours that are worrying you - but also that your son does not want to receive help. Have you thought about speaking to a psychologist or GP about your son? They may have appropriate suggestions or be able to provide more information on the likelihood of depression. You could also use this as an opportunity to receive your own support as I imagine this situation must be quite stressful and concerning for you. Another service we also recommend is Parent Line. They provide amazing telephone support and have a heaps of information and referrals. The benefit of professional help is that it can be tailored to suit your individual circumstances. We also have our own 1-on-1 support service here - please feel welcome to check it out.
It is amazing that your son still has a close network of friends and appears to be seeing them regularly. Are you ever in contact with their parents (e.g if you drop your son off)? They may have some helpful advice or insight to offer. Does your son mention any reasons as to why he is reluctant to chat with you? If you spend a lot of your time focusing on the issues, it can also be helpful to just have a general chat with your son to find out more about his interests, personality, hobbies etc. It can help to relieve some of the pressure and heaviness that serious conversations can bring. You can also make sure that your son has access to support lines like Kids Helpline, Lifeline, eHeadspace etc. This way, if your son is reluctant to talk to you, he at least knows that there are other options available
Please let us know how you go and keep us updated.
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