Depression

He’s 16. He’s a good and smart boy. He did very well in elementary school and freshman year, then something went wrong in sophomore year and up to now.

Adolescence is difficult for everyone. Our culture is not good for adolescence IMO. With my granddaughter, I just talk to her. I ask her questions like what did you do in school today? What did you learn? What are they teaching you? COVID hurt your son's generation like no other generation. I don't know where a parent can begin. I am in physical therapy, and I have all people under the age of 25 helping me get better. I talk to them. Once I establish a relationship where they want to open up to me. I am fortunate--they actually wait for my Thursday appointments so that they can share with me. I listen, listen, listen. They are starving for someone to listen to them. I couldn't open up to my parents. They were grieving parents. But they finally found me someone who listened to me. Someone to trust. Unfortunately, the good ones are hard to find or overbooked. You are in my thoughts. Thoughts are prayers to some people.

@lindasmith1222 You brought up a very good point! I was speaking to one of my specialists a couple of months ago, and he commented how the COVID pandemic affected his two children, both at critical stages of their life. Right on the cusp of moving from elementary school to junior high, and the other from junior high into senior high. All of the sudden they are not interacting physically with peers, nor having the chance to participate in normal activities. It has brought on a rapid and huge increase of mental health issues and concerns for this affected generation. And all at a time when there is already so much changing in their bodies and minds as they get in to puberty!

@ashambean2 This may be a real key to getting to the crux of it all, and a way to look at how your son is doing/how he is dealing with everything!
Ginger

Keep encouraging him to open up to work it out. Let him know regardless of how he feels, he is and always be loved and purposeful. Continue to be patient.
Make sure you get support if he won’t.
I hope someday that no child ever has to live through excessive anxiety and depression for long periods.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I’ve been showing him that he’s loved regardless of what the situation is.

Thank you!

I’m looking for a good therapist. Can someone recommend one? Thank you.

Hello,
He may have social anxiety, which might have brought on his depression. My granddaughter and my son both have social anxiety and have been going to online school ever since COVID and doing very well at it. It's not home schooling.. it's actually online school with actual teachers. Hope this helps.

@ashambean2 Looking for a good therapist can take some effort these days, as they seem to be so busy! What we did recently, was start with who in your area accepts your insurance. Take that list and delete those not taking new patients. If this person is for your son, then you want to focus on someone who has experience with young adults. Look up their background. Get an appointment, even if it is a long way out. Tell them you would like to be on the cancellation list, and take first available.

Meanwhile, continue to show your son love, let him know you are rooting for him and are on his side. Make is as easy as you can for him to open up to you, engage in conversations without reprisal, so he feels comfortable in talking. Let me know what you think of this idea?
Ginger