A parent’s guide to dealing with teen mental health

·      It is important to listen to teenagers, validate their feelings and give them reassurance, according to Garner: “Let them know you’re there for them, you’re on their side and be patient and calm, even if their behaviour upsets you.”

·       Help teenagers create new and healthy ways to cope that will last well into their future. This could be through activities such as yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness.

·       If you have particular concerns, encourage your teenager to talk to their GP, someone at their school or contact Childline, especially if they’re finding it hard to talk at home.

·       Professor Vivian Hill, from University College London’s Institute of Mental Health, suggests having regular “emotional check-ins” with your child; one-on-one private time to ask them how they are doing.

·      If your teenager is revising in their bedroom until 2am, it is time to intervene. Get them to go for a walk and talk about the topic they are worried about. Research shows that stepping into nature is beneficial to wellbeing.

·       Know when to challenge and when not to. If you both get angry, it can escalate to a full-blown row. Don’t go up the stress curve. Wait for everybody to calm down.

·       Check your child’s phone and social media regularly, particularly with younger teenagers, to see what they are looking at and with whom they are in contact.