How to Find Mental Health Help for Your Teen: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

Worried about your teen? Learn the warning signs, where to start, what types of care are available, and how to find a mental health provider who works with teens.

If you are worried about your teenager, you are not alone, and you are not overreacting by looking for answers. Teens go through a lot of normal ups and downs, but sometimes moodiness, withdrawal, or changes in behavior are a sign they need more support than a parent can give on their own.

This guide walks you through how to tell when it is time to get help, where to start, what kinds of care are available, and how to find a provider who works with teens.

If your teen is in danger right now, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. In Minnesota, you can also text MN to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line (Minnesota Department of Human Services). See our crisis help guide for more options.

You Are Not the Only Parent Asking This

Teen mental health has been a growing concern for years. In the CDC's 2025 survey of high school students, 33% reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year, and 14% said they had seriously considered suicide (CDC). Those numbers are lower than in 2021 and 2023, but they are still higher than a decade ago (CDC).

The good news is that mental health conditions in teens are treatable, and getting help early often makes a real difference.

Step 1: Notice What Has Changed

It can be hard to tell the difference between a rough patch and something more. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests considering help when a child's behavior or emotions last for weeks or longer, cause distress for your child or your family, or get in the way of school, home life, or friendships (NIMH).

Signs worth paying attention to

According to NIMH and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), these can be signs a teen may benefit from an evaluation (NIMH, AACAP):

Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
Pulling away from friends and family, or spending more and more time alone
Sleeping much more or much less than usual, or seeming tired all day
A marked drop in grades or trouble concentrating
Big changes in eating, excessive dieting or exercise, or intense fear of gaining weight
Long-lasting low mood, severe mood swings, or frequent angry outbursts
Worry or anxiety that gets in the way of school or social life
Using alcohol, vaping, or drugs
Risky or destructive behavior, or repeated threats to run away
Self-harm, such as cutting or burning
Talking about death, suicide, or feeling hopeless

Get help right away if your teen talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, or if their behavior is unsafe (NIMH).

You do not need to be certain something is wrong before reaching out. A professional can help you sort that out.

Step 2: Start the Conversation

AACAP recommends that the first step is often to gently talk with your teen, since an honest, open conversation about feelings can help (AACAP). A few tips:

Pick a low-pressure moment. Car rides, walks, or doing something side by side often feel easier than a face-to-face talk.
Lead with what you have noticed, not a diagnosis. "You seem really tired lately and you stopped going to practice. I'm worried about you" lands better than "I think you're depressed."
Listen more than you talk. Try not to fix, argue, or minimize. "That sounds really hard" goes a long way.
Ask directly about safety if you are worried. Asking a teen whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head. It opens the door for them to tell you.
Frame help as normal. Let them know that talking to a counselor is like seeing a coach or a doctor. It is a tool, not a punishment.

If your teen shuts down, that is okay. You can still move forward with getting advice.

Step 3: Talk to People Who Know Your Teen

NIMH suggests talking with people who see your child regularly and with your child's health care provider (NIMH). Good places to start:

Your teen's pediatrician or family doctor. They can screen for depression and anxiety, check for physical causes, and refer you to a mental health professional who works with teens.
The school counselor or school social worker. They can share what they are seeing at school and may know of school-based or local services.
Teachers, coaches, or youth leaders. They may notice changes you do not see at home.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional with experience treating children and teens (NIMH).

Step 4: Know Who Does What

There are several kinds of mental health professionals, and it helps to know the difference:

Therapists and counselors (such as licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists) provide talk therapy for individuals and families.
Psychologists provide therapy and can do in-depth testing, for example for ADHD, learning differences, or complex diagnoses.
Psychiatrists, including child and adolescent psychiatrists, are medical doctors who can diagnose conditions and prescribe and manage medication. AACAP offers a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners can also evaluate and prescribe medication.

For many teens, therapy is the first step. Medication may be added if a provider recommends it.

Step 5: Understand the Types of Care

Most teens start with outpatient therapy, which usually means one appointment a week. If your teen needs more support, there are more intensive options:

Outpatient therapy: Regular sessions with a therapist, often weekly. Many include family sessions.
School-based or school-linked services: Therapy provided at or through your teen's school, which can make it easier to attend.
In-home or community-based services: Skills work and support at home, school, or in the community.
Intensive outpatient and day programs: Several hours of treatment a few days a week, while your teen lives at home.
Residential treatment: 24 hour care for teens who need more support than outpatient care can provide.
Inpatient hospital care: Short-term, 24 hour care for serious safety concerns.

For a deeper explanation of each level, read Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Residential: What Do Treatment Levels Mean?

If your teen is using substances, look for programs that offer adolescent substance use treatment, which is designed for teens and usually involves the family.

Step 6: Find a Provider on Waypoint

Waypoint lets you search mental health and substance use providers by location and service. To find options for your teen:

Go to Waypoint search and enter your city or ZIP code.
Open the Who it serves filter and choose Adolescents (13 to 17).
Narrow by service, such as outpatient therapy, children's mental health services, or adolescent substance use treatment.
Turn on Accepting new clients to focus on providers with openings.
Turn on Telehealth if virtual sessions would be easier for your family, or Faith-based if that matters to you.

Call two or three providers. Waitlists are common, so it helps to reach out to more than one.

Step 7: Ask the Right Questions

When you call a provider, these questions can help you find a good fit. Several come from NIMH's list of questions for parents (NIMH):

Do you specialize in working with teens?
Do you use treatment approaches that are supported by research?
How are parents involved in treatment?
What will you share with me, and what stays between you and my teen?
How will we know if treatment is working, and how soon might we see progress?
How long does treatment usually last?
Do you offer telehealth or after-school appointments?
What insurance do you accept, and what will it cost? (See our guide to paying for care.)
How soon can my teen be seen?

What to Expect at the First Appointment

The first visit is usually an evaluation. The provider will likely talk with you about your teen's history, health, relationships, and what you have noticed, and spend time talking with your teen, often alone for part of the visit (NIMH). From there, they will suggest next steps.

On privacy: Most therapists keep much of what a teen shares private, because teens are more likely to open up when they feel safe. Providers will still tell parents about safety concerns. Rules about teen consent and privacy vary by state, so ask the provider to explain how it works in your situation.

It is also normal if the first therapist is not the right fit. A good connection between your teen and their provider matters, and it is okay to try someone else.

Take Care of Yourself, Too

Supporting a struggling teen is exhausting. The CDC encourages parents to care for their own mental health and seek help for themselves when they need it (CDC). Consider talking with your own therapist, joining a parent support group, or connecting with a family peer support specialist, a parent with lived experience who helps other families navigate children's mental health care.

For more, read our guide on helping someone you love.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my teen needs therapy or is just going through a phase?

Look at how long it has lasted and how much it is affecting daily life. If changes in mood or behavior last for weeks or longer, cause distress, or get in the way of school, home, or friendships, it is a good time to talk with a professional.

Where should I start if I do not know where to go?

Start with your teen's pediatrician or family doctor, or the school counselor. They can screen your teen and refer you to a mental health professional who works with adolescents. You can also search for teen-focused providers on Waypoint.

What if my teen refuses to go?

Keep the door open without forcing a fight. Explain why you are worried, offer choices (such as in-person or telehealth, or picking between two therapists), and ask them to try a few sessions. You can also meet with a therapist yourself for guidance on how to approach it.

Can my teen do therapy online?

Often, yes. Many providers offer telehealth for teens, which can make it easier to fit sessions around school and activities. Use the Telehealth filter on Waypoint to find these providers.

Will the therapist tell me everything my teen says?

Usually not. Therapists typically keep the details private to build trust, but they will tell parents about safety concerns. Ask the provider how they handle privacy before starting.

What should I do if my teen talks about suicide?

Take it seriously and act right away. Call or text 988, or call 911 if they are in immediate danger. Stay with your teen and remove access to anything they could use to hurt themselves.

Find Teen Mental Health Support Near You

You do not have to figure this out alone. Use Waypoint search to find mental health and substance use providers who work with teens, filter by who they serve and whether they are accepting new clients, and take the next step for your family.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified health professional about your teen's situation. If your teen is in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.