Teen Mental Health

Family & Healing Friday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana

🧠 Teen Mental Health: Supporting Your Teen Through Life’s Challenges

Teenagers today are navigating more pressure, more screens, and more social complexities than ever before. Between academic demands, peer relationships, and growing self-awareness, many teens struggle silently—unsure how to ask for help.

At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we’re seeing a rising number of families seeking support for teen mental health, and for good reason. Supporting a teen’s mental wellness isn’t about “fixing” them—it’s about helping them feel safe, seen, and supported.

In this post, we’ll share signs of mental health struggles in teens, how animal-assisted therapy can make a difference, and what you as a parent or caregiver can do right now.

📉 The State of Teen Mental Health Today

According to the CDC, mental health challenges among teens have increased significantly in recent years. Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts have climbed—especially among girls, LGBTQ+ teens, and those with adverse childhood experiences.

Key stats:

42% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
1 in 5 teens seriously considered suicide in the past year
Only 40% of teens struggling with mental health receive treatment

(Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023)

These numbers are sobering—but they’re also a call to action.

🔍 Recognizing the Signs of Mental Health Concerns in Teens

Many parents wonder, “Is this just normal teen behavior, or something more serious?”

Here are common signs that a teen may be struggling with their mental health:

Withdrawal from friends or family
Increased irritability, anger, or mood swings
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Loss of interest in hobbies or school
Difficulty concentrating or slipping grades
Talking about feeling worthless or hopeless
Excessive worry, panic, or fear
Self-harm or suicidal statements

It’s not about diagnosing your child—it’s about noticing patterns and trusting your instincts.

🐾 Why Animal-Assisted Therapy Works for Teens

At AACI, one of our most powerful tools for supporting teen mental health is the presence of therapy dogs. Teens often struggle to open up in traditional talk therapy, but when a therapy dog is in the room, something changes.

Benefits include:

Nonjudgmental companionship
Lowered anxiety levels through co-regulation
Increased engagement in sessions
Improved mood and emotional regulation

Many teens tell us it feels easier to talk when petting a dog or sitting quietly beside one. Therapy dogs offer a safe, calming presence—especially for those struggling with trust, trauma, or self-esteem.

📘 More on Therapy Dogs & Emotional Support

🧭 What Helps: Client-Centered Support for Teens

Every teen is different. That’s why our approach at AACI is client-centered—meaning we build therapy around your teen’s needs, interests, and strengths.

Here’s what that might look like:

Creating a routine and structure in sessions
Exploring emotions through art, movement, or journaling
Involving family when appropriate, while protecting privacy
Allowing the therapy dog to serve as a co-regulator
Teaching practical coping skills like grounding, reframing, and emotional literacy

We help teens find their voice, explore their identity, and learn to manage overwhelming emotions—while building trust at their pace.

🌿 Learn More: AACI’s Approach

🧡 How Parents and Caregivers Can Support Teen Mental Health

You don’t have to be perfect—you just need to be present.

Here are small ways you can support your teen’s mental health at home:

Validate their emotions instead of rushing to fix them
Be curious instead of reactive
Offer consistency and routine (even when they push back)
Model self-care and emotional expression
Let them know that therapy isn’t a punishment—it’s support

And if you’re unsure where to start, reaching out to a counselor can give your family the tools to move forward together.

🌐 External Resource: Child Mind Institute – How to Help a Teen with Depression

🎯 Family & Healing Friday Reflection Task

This week, choose one way to connect with your teen—without pressure, without fixing.

It could be:

Inviting them to take a walk with you and your dog
Writing them a short note of encouragement
Asking, “How’s your heart today?” instead of “How was school?”

Small moments build trust over time.

🐾 Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve noticed signs your teen is struggling, trust that instinct. At AACI, we create a warm, nonjudgmental space where your teen can begin to feel like themselves again—with the support of licensed clinicians and therapy dogs.

We’re here when you’re ready. And we’ll walk beside your teen—step by step.

🗓️ Contact us today
📍 Located in Munster, Indiana | Serving families in Northwest Indiana and beyond