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because we can understand it, and we aren’t alone. It’s been such a freeing journey that we are now trying to help others by sharing our story and experience.

Teens can feel alone quite often, whether it be in school, with peers or siblings, and especially with their parents. How would anyone else know how they really feel? Imagine walking around like that for years. My son did. How many other kids are? I wish I’d gotten diagnosed decades ago for my issues. My childhood would have been much different and much better. Waiting to address mental health until we are older makes things so much more difficult. It doesn’t have to be that way. Some kids don’t get a chance to get help because they wind up feeling so isolated and alone, fearful and discouraged that they take their own lives. That is not the outcome we want. There are some things that parents can do to become a trusted confidant (a safe place) for their kids. Here are 6 of them:

1. Know your teen’s behaviors and be aware of changes in them or their habits.

2. Don’t be afraid to gently mention to your teen if you notice a change, do a check-in to see how they’re feeling (about anything).

3. Don’t be afraid to ask how you can help.

4. Try to understand all the pressures teens are up against and recognize if/how you play a part in those pressures.

5. Practice telling them that you love them, no matter what…your love is unconditional, and you’ll always be there for them. 6. REPEAT STEPS 1-5 DAILY IF YOU HAVE TO EVEN IF THEY SEEM DISINTERESTED IN TALKING… AT LEAST THEY KNOW YOU’LL BE THERE WHEN THEY ARE. (THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST IMPORTANT.)

Teens fear judgement and are always seeking acceptance (from everyone everywhere) trying to measure up, achieve, and please. We don’t want them to think we do not accept them, or worse judge them or not love them.

I feel very lucky that my son didn’t do half the things he thought about doing…we could have wound up the unlucky ones. We do not know what lies underneath those busy stressed-out teens. Mental health issues are real, and they can affect anyone. SparkRx was the thread that we truly believe was a lifeline for my son…in a time of need, and while we figured things out and then got additional professional help.

If you notice anything odd about your teen, don’t ignore it. Contact your pediatrician, ask for help. I’m not afraid to talk about this, because the cost of being quiet is too high. Here are some resources:

CBS piece on SparkRx April 27, 2022

(My son’s CBS interview is scheduled to air on Wednesday, May 25th, the day he graduates from high school. There will be a dual celebration that night.)

NAMI – National Alliance of Mental Illness

More Videos of information, education, and testimony about mental health

Video Testimony from a mother MHNational-Self Assessment Test Tool

NY Times Article with Resources and answers to questions.

)LQG WKH WUHDVXUH DW /DNH &RXQW\ /LEUDULHV WKLV VXPPHU Win prizes this summer by exploring the libraries of

Lake County.

Patrons of all ages can pick up a treasure map at any of the eight public library systems in Lake County. Get a stamp on your map whenever you attend a program or borrow an item from one of the library systems this summer. Everyone who collects six stamps and returns their finished treasure map to their home library will be entered into a prize drawing. Each library system will have different prizes that patrons can win. The adventure runs from June 1 to July 31.

This contest is sponsored by the Lake County League of Libraries – a partnership of the public library systems in Lake County (Fairport Harbor, Kirtland, Madison, Mentor, Morley, Perry, Wickliffe and Willoughby - Eastlake,) as well as Lakeland Community College Library and the Lake Erie College Library