San Juan Capistrano, California / Syndication Cloud / July 3, 2025 / Mission Prep
If your son or daughter is one of the many teens in America who are struggling, there are many simple yet highly effective ways to improve their mental health.
And if you’re searching for easily implementable strategies that can spark connectedness, joy and purpose for your teen, there are many ways to get information and inspiration, including through mental health providers like Mission Prep.
The Teen Well-being Crisis
Sadly, rates of poor mental health are continuing to rise amongst American teens, so if your teen is struggling, it is important to remember that you are not alone.
As the CDC recently reported, roughly 1 in 5 American children aged 3-17 has been diagnosed with a mental health condition, most commonly with anxiety, depression or a behavioral disorder. And, as that number focuses in on adolescents between 12 and 17, 40% report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year, with roughly 20% reporting symptoms of either anxiety or depression in the last week.
That’s why it is imperative that parents and caregivers like yourself can learn how these symptoms can be better managed or alleviated, and how you can best support your teen at home.
Effective Mental Health Activities For Teens
Thankfully, there are lots of actionable activities that can support your teen’s mental health in everyday life.
These include expressive outlets like journaling and art, which will help your teen process emotions constructively, as well as mindfulness practices like deep breathing and meditation to manage anxiety and improve focus.
Regular physical activity—such as walking or yoga—also has a lot of benefits and can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost overall mood.
In addition to individual practices, improving social connection and positive routine-building are also important things you can help your teen with.
Plus, strategies like making an emotional first aid kit and making a gratitude box can help your teen to build up their self-esteem, manage emotional triggers, and develop practical tools for resilience.
When To Seek Professional Help
However, as a parent, you should also know that, in more severe cases, professional intervention may be required.
If you and your teen are new to professional mental health help, you should look for an individual therapist, clinic or center that offers personalized, holistic and compassionate care. Ideally, you also want one that utilizes evidence-based psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside expressive and alternative therapies.
If residential or inpatient care is needed because your child requires 24/7 structured support, you should also look for a center that will create spaces where your teen can center themselves through wellness activities like yoga, express themselves through creative pursuits, and socialize safely and reconnect with the outside world at organized outings.
If you need more advice on how to find the right professional help for your teen, Mission Prep can also support you with this.
Mission Prep
30310 Rancho Viejo Rd.
San Juan Capistrano
California
92675
United States
