Script - Spotting the Signs: A Parent's Guide to Teen Mental Health

Introduction

"Good evening, everyone! Welcome to our session, 'Spotting the Signs: A Parent's Guide to Teen Mental Health.'"











"¡Buenas noches a todos! Bienvenidos a nuestra sesión: 'Reconociendo las Señales: Una Guía para Padres sobre la Salud Mental Adolescente.'"

"Today, we’re here to learn how to recognize signs of depression and anxiety in our teenagers. Early intervention can make a significant difference in their lives."

"Hoy, estamos aquí para aprender a reconocer señales de depresión y ansiedad en nuestros adolescentes. La intervención temprana puede marcar una gran diferencia en sus vidas."

Warm-Up

"Let's start with a quick warm-up activity to get to know each other and share our experiences. I’d like everyone to think about a small behavior or change you’ve noticed in your teen that made you pause and wonder if something might be off."

"Vamos a comenzar con una actividad de calentamiento para conocernos mejor y compartir nuestras experiencias. Me gustaría que cada uno piense en un pequeño comportamiento o cambio que haya notado en su hijo y que le hizo detenerse y preguntarse si algo no estaba bien."

"Take a moment, and then we’ll share some thoughts. If you feel comfortable, please share with the group in English or Spanish."

Transition to Main Presentation

"Thank you for sharing! Now, we are going to delve deeper into some key signs of mental health challenges in teens. Please turn your attention to the slide deck."

"¡Gracias por compartir! Ahora, profundizaremos en algunas señales clave de problemas de salud mental en adolescentes. Por favor, pongan atención al conjunto de diapositivas."

Slide Presentation

"On our first slide, you'll see our title and session objective. Let’s review it together:"

(Allow a few seconds for parents to read the title slide.)

"We are here today to identify signs like persistent sadness, changes in behavior, and physical symptoms that might indicate depression or anxiety."

"En la siguiente diapositiva, notarán la importancia de la salud mental en adolescentes y por qué la intervención temprana es vital. Observe cómo tanto en inglés como en español presentamos los puntos clave."

"Moving on, the next slides detail specific signs. For depression, we see symptoms such as: persistent sadness or irritability, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and withdrawal from social activities."

"Pasando a la depresión, notamos señales como la tristeza persistente o irritabilidad, cambios en el apetito o en los patrones de sueño y aislamiento social."

"For anxiety, indicators include excessive worrying, physical symptoms like headaches, and avoiding stressful situations."

"Finalmente, para la ansiedad, observamos señales como la preocupación excesiva, síntomas físicos como dolores de cabeza o estomacales, y evitar situaciones estresantes."

"Lastly, our slide on 'Supporting Your Teen' provides actionable steps. Open communication, seeking professional help when necessary, and promoting a balanced lifestyle are crucial."

"Por último, la diapositiva sobre 'Apoyando a Tu Adolescente' ofrece pasos prácticos: mantener una comunicación abierta, buscar ayuda profesional cuando sea necesario y fomentar un estilo de vida equilibrado."

"We will now watch a short video that illustrates these signs in real-life situations. Please pay close attention, and note any behaviors that stand out to you."

Introductory Video

(Play the Introductory Video - Spotting the Signs).

"I hope you found the video helpful. Now, let's move to our next segment."

Guided Discussion

"I'm now inviting you to join a guided discussion. What did you notice in the video? Feel free to share any observations or questions you have, either in English or Spanish."

"Ahora, los invito a una discusión guiada: ¿qué notaron en el video? Siéntanse libres de compartir observaciones o preguntas, ya sea en inglés o español."

(Allow 15 minutes for discussion, calling on individual parents if necessary.)

"Thank you all for your thoughtful contributions. Your insights are incredibly valuable."

Interactive Activity and Game

"Next, we will move on to an interactive activity. I'm handing out a worksheet that lists different teen behaviors. In small groups or individually, please review the worksheet and mark which behaviors you find concerning."

"A continuación, pasaremos a una actividad interactiva. Les entregaré una hoja de trabajo que enumera diferentes comportamientos en adolescentes. En grupos pequeños o individualmente, por favor revisen la hoja y marquen los comportamientos que les parezcan preocupantes."

"After that, we will play a quick game to reinforce the signs and discuss ways to approach your teen if you notice these behaviors."

Transition to Cool Down

"As we wrap up, let’s take a few moments to reflect on what we’ve learned today."

"Para concluir, tomemos unos minutos para reflexionar sobre lo que hemos aprendido hoy."

Cool Down

"In our cool down activity, please share one key takeaway from this session. This could be a sign you had not recognized before, a strategy for open communication, or any resource you found useful."

"En nuestra actividad de cierre, les pido que compartan una conclusión o algo importante que aprendieron en esta sesión. Puede ser una señal que antes no reconocían, una estrategia de comunicación o algún recurso útil."

"Remember, recognizing these signs is the first step towards helping your teenager lead a healthier, happier life. If you have further questions or need additional resources, please feel free to reach out after the session."

"Recuerden, reconocer estas señales es el primer paso para ayudar a su hijo a tener una vida más saludable y feliz. Si tienen más preguntas o necesitan recursos adicionales, no duden en comunicarse conmigo después de la sesión."

Conclusion

"Thank you so much for your active participation today. I hope you feel more confident in spotting the warning signs and supporting your teen effectively. Have a great evening!"

"Muchas gracias por su participación activa hoy. Espero que ahora se sientan más seguros para identificar las señales de alerta y apoyar a su hijo de manera efectiva. ¡Que tengan una excelente noche!"

"Let's stay connected and keep the conversation open. Goodbye and take care!"

"¡Mantengámonos en contacto y sigamos conversando! ¡Adiós y cuídense!"

Worksheet - Spotting the Signs: Identify Potential Behaviors

This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on and identify behaviors in teenagers that may be indicative of underlying mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Please read each scenario carefully and answer the questions provided. Remember to answer in the language you feel most comfortable with—English or Spanish.

Scenario 1: Changes in Behavior / Cambios en el Comportamiento

Imagine you've noticed that your teenager has become unusually withdrawn, avoiding interactions with family and friends. They might have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Questions / Preguntas:

1. What are some possible reasons for this change in behavior? Describe in your own words. / ¿Cuáles podrían ser algunas razones para este cambio de comportamiento? Describa en sus propias palabras.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What steps could you take to support your teen if you observe these changes? / ¿Qué pasos podría tomar para apoyar a su adolescente si observa estos cambios?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Scenario 2: Physical Symptoms / Síntomas Físicos

Consider a situation where your teen frequently complains of headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue with no clear medical cause. These physical symptoms accompany noticeable emotional distress.

Questions / Preguntas:

1. How might these physical symptoms be related to mental health issues? Explain your reasoning. / ¿Cómo podrían estar relacionados estos síntomas físicos con problemas de salud mental? Explique su razonamiento.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. List some strategies you could consider to address both the physical and emotional aspects of these symptoms. / Enumere algunas estrategias que podría considerar para abordar tanto los aspectos físicos como emocionales de estos síntomas.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Scenario 3: Excessive Worrying and Fear / Preocupación Excesiva y Miedo

Your teen seems overly anxious about daily activities, worrying excessively about school performance and social interactions. This worrying sometimes leads to avoidance of important tasks.

Questions / Preguntas:

1. How can you differentiate between normal teen anxiety and signs that might indicate a deeper issue? / ¿Cómo puede diferenciar entre la ansiedad normal en adolescentes y señales que podrían indicar un problema más profundo?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What conversations might you initiate with your teen to help them manage this anxiety? / ¿Qué conversaciones podría iniciar con su adolescente para ayudarlo a manejar esta ansiedad?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Personal Reflection / Reflexión Personal

Reflect on your experiences and observations as a parent. Use the space below to write about one behavior in your teen that concerned you in the past, and how understanding these signs could help you in the future.

/ Reflexione sobre sus experiencias y observaciones como padre o madre. Use el espacio a continuación para escribir sobre un comportamiento en su adolescente que le haya preocupado en el pasado, y cómo reconocer estas señales podría ayudarlo en el futuro.

Action Plan / Plan de Acción

Outline a brief action plan that you could follow if you notice concerning signs in your teen. Include steps like observing behavior, communicating openly, and seeking professional help if necessary.

/ Esboce un breve plan de acción que podría seguir si nota señales preocupantes en su adolescente. Incluya pasos como observar el comportamiento, comunicarse abiertamente y buscar ayuda profesional si es necesario.

Thank you for completing this worksheet. Your responses will help you recognize early signs of mental health issues in teenagers and guide you in supporting your teen effectively.

Discussion Guide - Spotting the Signs

This discussion guide is designed to facilitate a meaningful conversation among parents about recognizing signs of mental health challenges in teens. The guide includes bilingual prompts and questions that encourage sharing of experiences, insights, and strategies. Please feel free to answer in both English and Spanish!

Opening Questions

1. Icebreaker: What is one small change in your teen’s behavior that initially caught your attention?
   ¿Cuál es un pequeño cambio en el comportamiento de su adolescente que llamó su atención inicialmente?
   
   
   

2. Expectations: What do you hope to learn from today’s session?
   ¿Qué espera aprender en la sesión de hoy?
   
   
   

Deep Dive into Recognizing Signs

3. Depression Signs: Reflecting on the symptoms of depression discussed (e.g., persistent sadness, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawal), what are some challenges you might face in distinguishing these signs from typical teen behavior?
   Reflexionando sobre los síntomas de la depresión (por ejemplo, tristeza persistente, cambios en el sueño o apetito, aislamiento), ¿cuáles cree que son algunos desafíos para distinguir estas señales del comportamiento típico adolescente?
   
   
   

4. Anxiety Signs: When it comes to recognizing anxiety (physical symptoms, excessive worrying), what behaviors in your teen have caused you concern in the past or that you are now more aware of?
   En cuanto a la ansiedad (síntomas físicos, preocupación excesiva), ¿qué comportamientos en su adolescente le han causado preocupación en el pasado o de los que es ahora más consciente?
   
   
   

Sharing Strategies and Experiences

5. Communication Strategies: What methods or conversations have you found effective when discussing mental health with your teen? How do you bridge the language or cultural barriers with your child?
   ¿Qué métodos o conversaciones ha encontrado efectivos al hablar sobre salud mental con su adolescente? ¿Cómo supera las barreras de idioma o culturales con su hijo?
   
   
   

6. Action Steps: Share an example of an action plan or strategy you implemented when you noticed concerning signs in your teen. What worked well, and what changes might you consider for the future?
   Comparta un ejemplo de un plan de acción o estrategia que implementó cuando notó señales preocupantes en su adolescente. ¿Qué funcionó bien y qué cambios consideraría para el futuro?
   
   
   

Reflecting on the Session

7. Key Takeaway: After viewing the video and engaging with the discussion, what is one new insight or takeaway that will influence how you approach your teen's mental health?
   Después de ver el video y participar en la discusión, ¿cuál es una nueva perspectiva o aprendizaje que influirá en cómo aborda la salud mental de su adolescente?
   
   
   

8. Future Resources: Are there any additional topics or resources you would like to explore further to support your understanding of teen mental health?
   ¿Hay algún tema adicional o recursos que le gustaría explorar para apoyar su comprensión de la salud mental adolescente?
   
   
   

Closing Remarks

• Summarize: Let's take a moment to summarize the main points we've discussed. What do you believe is the most critical sign or strategy to remember?
  
  
  
• Final Thoughts: Before we end, does anyone have any final comments or questions?
  
  
  

Thank you all for your participation and openness. Your insights not only help you, but also enrich the whole group’s understanding of how to effectively support our teens.

Interactive Activity - Spotting the Signs

In this interactive role-playing activity, you will practice recognizing and discussing signs of mental health issues in teenagers. This exercise is designed to help you build confidence in addressing these concerns with your teen in both English and Spanish.

Activity Overview:

1. Divide into Pairs or Small Groups: Work with one or two other participants.

2. Scenario Cards: Each group will receive a set of scenario cards (provided by the facilitator). Each card outlines a situation that might indicate signs of depression or anxiety in a teen. Examples include:

   • A teen who has withdrawn from social activities and shows signs of persistent sadness.
   • A teen who frequently complains of unexplained physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
   • A teen who displays excessive worry about school or social interactions.

3. Role-Playing: One person will play the role of the concerned parent and another the teenager. Using the scenario as your guide, have a conversation where the parent gently addresses the behavior, while the teen responds naturally. Feel free to switch roles and repeat with a different scenario.

4. Language Switching: Practice the conversation in both English and Spanish. For example, you might start in English and then switch to Spanish for key parts of the discussion, or vice versa. This will help you become comfortable discussing sensitive topics bilingually.

5. Debrief and Reflection: After each role-play, take a few minutes to discuss within your group:

   • What signs did you notice?
   • How did the conversation flow?
   • What phrases or strategies were particularly effective?

   Write down your insights on the provided worksheet space.

Instructions for Role-Playing:

• Step 1: Read your scenario card together. Take a moment to understand the behavior described.

• Step 2: In your role-play, begin with a warm greeting and then gently introduce your observations. For example:

  • In English: "I've noticed you seem a bit down lately and aren't as interested in activities you once enjoyed. Is everything okay?"
  • In Spanish: "He notado que te ves un poco decaído últimamente y ya no te interesan las actividades que solías disfrutar. ¿Está todo bien?"

• Step 3: Listen to the teen's response and use follow-up questions to explore the situation further. Aim to maintain an open, non-judgmental tone.

• Step 4: Switch roles so each participant has the opportunity to practice both being the parent and the teen.

• Step 5: Group Discussion - Share your experiences with the facilitator and discuss any challenges and effective strategies.

Reflection Questions:

1. What was one effective phrase or approach that helped ease the conversation?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How did using both English and Spanish influence the flow of conversation or your comfort level?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What did you learn about identifying subtle signs of mental health issues through this activity?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Remember, the goal of this activity is to practice recognition and open communication with your teen. This role-play not only prepares you to identify warning signs early but also helps build a supportive dialogue that can lead to timely intervention.

Good luck, and feel free to ask for feedback from your peers or the facilitator after each role-play session!

Game - Spotting the Signs

Welcome to the fun and interactive game designed to help you reinforce your understanding of mental health signs in teens! This game will involve matching common teen behaviors with possible mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. It has been created for bilingual parents, so you'll find instructions in both English and Spanish.

How to Play / Cómo Jugar

1. Setup / Preparación:

   • You will receive a set of behavior cards and a set of issues cards arranged randomly on a table or board.
   • The behavior cards list examples of teen actions or changes (e.g., withdrawal from social activities, excessive worrying) and the issues cards list possible mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety).

2. Game Objective / Objetivo del Juego:

   • Your goal is to match each behavior card with the corresponding mental health issue that it might indicate.
   • Work individually or in teams, and feel free to discuss both in English and Spanish!

3. Rules / Reglas:

   • Each parent or team takes turns selecting one behavior card and one issue card that they believe are connected.
   • Once a match is made, explain your reasoning in your preferred language. If you feel it could be improved, discuss with your peer group and reach a consensus.
   • For each correctly paired match, you earn one point. If you're not sure about the pairing, ask for hints or discuss further with the group.

4. Winning / Ganar el Juego:

   • The participant or team with the most correct matches at the end of the game wins!
   • Remember, the focus is on learning and sharing experiences, so have fun and be supportive.

Example / Ejemplo:

• Behavior Card: "Your teen has been noticeably withdrawn from friends and family activities."
• Issue Card: "Depression / Depresión"

In this case, the behavior is commonly associated with depression. Explain why you think this match is appropriate, and discuss additional factors that might help in identifying such behaviors.

Reflection / Reflexión

After playing the game, take a few moments to reflect on these questions:

1. Which behavior-issue match surprised you the most? / ¿Qué combinación de comportamiento y problema le sorprendió más?
   
   
   
   
2. How did discussing the matches in both languages enhance your understanding? / ¿Cómo mejoró su comprensión discutir las combinaciones en ambos idiomas?
   
   
   
   
3. What strategies from the game can you apply when observing your teen’s behavior in real life? / ¿Qué estrategias del juego puede aplicar al observar el comportamiento de su hijo en la vida real?
   
   
   
   

Enjoy the game and let's continue to build a supportive environment for our teens. Happy matching!



¡Disfruten el juego y sigamos construyendo un entorno de apoyo para nuestros adolescentes. ¡Buena suerte!