- Choose a time when the young person is relaxed and unlikely to be distracted.
- Be natural and don’t overthink it. Start by sharing your concern.
- Be prepared for rejection. If they don’t want to talk, try again later.
- Check your emotions and be realistic, while telling them you care and want to help.
- Discuss what you have noticed and why you are concerned.
- Ask questions about how they feel.
- Let them guide the conversation.
- Tell them it is important to discuss their feelings.
- Try to understand their reaction and help them to feel at ease. Let them know that crying is OK.
- Seek a balance between helping and encouraging their independence.
- Provide information about depression and the types of help available.
- Respect their privacy but explain the benefits of telling trusted people. Let them know that professional help is confidential and easy to access.
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Eileen Berry
is a journalist and publisher with more than 30 years’ experience on newspapers and magazines. She created Parent Guides as a way to help parents of school-aged kids educate themselves about issues young people face and to discuss them as a family. Eileen experienced many of these issues first-hand when raising a nephew. Read more about Eileen's story. Empower your school
Parent Guides have helped multiple Victorian schools co-ordinate informative Q&A-style panel nights for the benefit of teachers and parents. These events provide direct access to some of the country's foremost experts on drugs and issues affecting our youth. If you'd like more information, please contact us
here.