Living Well: Talking about tough topics with teens

Whether it’s a talk about drugs, sex, or mental health, having difficult conversations with pre-teens and teens isn’t easy.
However, experts say connecting with youth can help guide them toward making responsible decisions and reduce certain health risks.
In today’s Living Well News 40’s Morgan Hoover has some ideas on how to get teens to open up about tough topics.

A recent CDC survey found nearly 77 % of parents believe their teens always have the social and emotional support they need.

But only about 28% of teens agreed with that

When connecting with teens, the CDC says to also engage in active listening. Find out more about what they like and why. And be the person they trust and want to come to when they need an adult.

The  CDC says if you have concerns about your child’s emotional well-being, their behavior, or overall mental health — be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider.