Mother Nature Network – Joanna Nesbit
“During the teen years, as activities and academics ramp up, parents and teens get so busy they become proverbial ships passing in the dining room. Dinners become fragmentmented and communication only occurs on the fly — and at a time when teens need the connection with their parents most. Of course, this is also the time teens are pushing the hardest for more independence and space. It’s not an easy time for anyone. During the teen years, kids are at greater risk for depression and anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression is the most common mental health disorder among teens and adults, and 10 to 15 percent of teens have symptoms of depression at any given time.”(more)