What goes through an adolescent’s mind?

During adolescence, young people face a significant shift as they realize the world is not as perfect as they perceived it in childhood. This awakening to a more complex and often threatening reality can unsettle their sense of safety, creating feelings of insecurity. On top of this change, adolescents must also deal with important personal issues such as sexual orientation, and planning for their academic and professional future—factors that can trigger anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

📽 In the following video, we explain it in more detail 💙

How to support adolescents:

Respect their timing and offer alternatives.
Instead of judging their behavior, adults should provide spaces and activities aligned with their interests—like going to the movies or out to eat. This facilitates communication without pressuring them to talk before they’re ready.

Combat hopelessness about the future.
Rather than focusing on their flaws, it is crucial to empower them through dialogue, helping them understand they have control over their future. Praising their strengths can motivate them to use those qualities to move forward and overcome challenges.

Share our own vulnerability.
Showing our weaknesses and experiences can create a bond of trust between adolescents and adults. By sharing our struggles, we can make adolescents feel more comfortable opening up about their own concerns.

Understanding what goes through an adolescent’s mind requires empathy and support during this transitional stage. By recognizing the specific challenges they face and offering compassionate guidance, adults can help them navigate this crucial stage of development.

During adolescence, young people face a significant shift as they realize the world is not as perfect as they perceived it in childhood. This awakening to a more complex and often threatening reality can unsettle their sense of safety, creating feelings of insecurity. On top of this change, adolescents must also deal with important personal issues such as sexual orientation, and planning for their academic and professional future—factors that can trigger anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

📽 In the following video, we explain it in more detail 💙

How to support adolescents:

Respect their timing and offer alternatives.
Instead of judging their behavior, adults should provide spaces and activities aligned with their interests—like going to the movies or out to eat. This facilitates communication without pressuring them to talk before they’re ready.

Combat hopelessness about the future.
Rather than focusing on their flaws, it is crucial to empower them through dialogue, helping them understand they have control over their future. Praising their strengths can motivate them to use those qualities to move forward and overcome challenges.

Share our own vulnerability.
Showing our weaknesses and experiences can create a bond of trust between adolescents and adults. By sharing our struggles, we can make adolescents feel more comfortable opening up about their own concerns.

Understanding what goes through an adolescent’s mind requires empathy and support during this transitional stage. By recognizing the specific challenges they face and offering compassionate guidance, adults can help them navigate this crucial stage of development.

During adolescence, young people face a significant shift as they realize the world is not as perfect as they perceived it in childhood. This awakening to a more complex and often threatening reality can unsettle their sense of safety, creating feelings of insecurity. On top of this change, adolescents must also deal with important personal issues such as sexual orientation, and planning for their academic and professional future—factors that can trigger anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

📽 In the following video, we explain it in more detail 💙

How to support adolescents:

Respect their timing and offer alternatives.
Instead of judging their behavior, adults should provide spaces and activities aligned with their interests—like going to the movies or out to eat. This facilitates communication without pressuring them to talk before they’re ready.

Combat hopelessness about the future.
Rather than focusing on their flaws, it is crucial to empower them through dialogue, helping them understand they have control over their future. Praising their strengths can motivate them to use those qualities to move forward and overcome challenges.

Share our own vulnerability.
Showing our weaknesses and experiences can create a bond of trust between adolescents and adults. By sharing our struggles, we can make adolescents feel more comfortable opening up about their own concerns.

Understanding what goes through an adolescent’s mind requires empathy and support during this transitional stage. By recognizing the specific challenges they face and offering compassionate guidance, adults can help them navigate this crucial stage of development.

During adolescence, young people face a significant shift as they realize the world is not as perfect as they perceived it in childhood. This awakening to a more complex and often threatening reality can unsettle their sense of safety, creating feelings of insecurity. On top of this change, adolescents must also deal with important personal issues such as sexual orientation, and planning for their academic and professional future—factors that can trigger anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

📽 In the following video, we explain it in more detail 💙

How to support adolescents:

Respect their timing and offer alternatives.
Instead of judging their behavior, adults should provide spaces and activities aligned with their interests—like going to the movies or out to eat. This facilitates communication without pressuring them to talk before they’re ready.

Combat hopelessness about the future.
Rather than focusing on their flaws, it is crucial to empower them through dialogue, helping them understand they have control over their future. Praising their strengths can motivate them to use those qualities to move forward and overcome challenges.

Share our own vulnerability.
Showing our weaknesses and experiences can create a bond of trust between adolescents and adults. By sharing our struggles, we can make adolescents feel more comfortable opening up about their own concerns.

Understanding what goes through an adolescent’s mind requires empathy and support during this transitional stage. By recognizing the specific challenges they face and offering compassionate guidance, adults can help them navigate this crucial stage of development.