Parenting a teenager can feel like standing beside someone who is bravely learning how the world works for the very first time. Teens are wired to push, to test, to stretch themselves into new territory; and even when they look full of confidence, they’re often feeling the fear underneath. Their brains are urging them forward into independence, yet what they need most in this stage is a strong, steady sense of where the edges are.

Adolescence is a transformative and sometimes turbulent time for most young ones. For autistic teenagers, the teen years can bring additional challenges and opportunities. In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Dr Rebekah Easton, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Well Rooted Wellbeing, who shared her expertise on understanding and supporting autistic teens.

Bullying is a big issue for teens, and according to the ONS approximately 1 in 5 experience in-person bullying. We know that it’s a traumatic experience, and that the emotional and psychological effects can last a long while. In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Kat Fuller, a highly experienced Family Support Practitioner and the Parent Support Manager at anti-bullying charity Kidscape, to talk about how parents, carers, and schools can better understand, identify, and address bullying - both online and offline.

This week’s session, Understanding Eating Issues in Teens, explored one of the most challenging and sensitive topics facing families today: teenage eating disorders. Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Georgie Cox joined us to share her expertise on identifying early warning signs, supporting recovery, and navigating the complex influences shaping young people’s relationships with food.

This week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session focused on Parenting Teens with OCD, led by consultant clinical psychologist Chloe Volz. Drawing on her extensive experience as head of the National Specialist CAMHS team, Chloe offered parents and carers valuable insights into recognising, understanding, and supporting young people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Friendships are at the heart of teenage life. They provide belonging, connection, and a sense of identity during one of the most socially and emotionally intense stages of development. Yet, these same friendships can also be turbulent, marked by shifting dynamics, peer pressure, and sometimes exclusion or conflict.

This week at Let’s All Talk Mental Health, we welcomed Dr Liz Dawes, founder of Every Mind Child Psychology and a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodiversity. Dr Dawes shared practical insights on how parents, carers, and educators can better support neurodivergent teenagers, particularly those with autism and ADHD, both at home and in school.

This week at Let’s All Talk Mental Health, we were joined by Dr. Charlotte Armitage for an interesting conversation on: How Tech and AI Are Reshaping Teen Moods, Minds, and Relationships.

It’s no secret that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way most people live their lives. Phones, tablets, and now even chatbots are part of our children’s daily world. But what does this mean for their moods, mental health and relationships? Psychologist, Dr. Armitage, founder of BeDeviceWise talked us through the upsides and the downsides, as well as some of the practical steps parents might want to consider.

As the new school year begins, many teenagers face a wave of challenges - from adapting to fresh academic demands to managing social pressures. This transition period can be stressful and, for some, it sparks heightened anxiety. In this week’s session, clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Jane Knight shared valuable insights and strategies to help parents and educators support teenagers through this time.

Whether it’s moving up to secondary school or stepping into sixth form or college, these changes bring a mix of excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty - not just for teens, but for their families too. In this week’s session, we talked to Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Sarah-Jane Knight, about supporting teenagers through school transitions. 

We know that today's teens play more games than any previous generation, which is why the Let’s All Talk Mental Health team wanted to understand more about gaming and its impact on teenagers. We were joined by two experts, Psychotherapist, Alison Smith, and Psychiatrist, Dr. Romayne Gadelrab from the National Centre for Gaming Disorders. They provided an understanding of when gaming becomes a problem, and how families can respond with empathy, structure, and support.

This week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session focused on a topic that resonates deeply with many families: teenagers and smartphone use. With insights led by consultant psychiatrist Dr. Nicky Kalk, the discussion explored the growing concerns around smartphone habits, their links to mental health, and practical strategies families can use to encourage healthier tech use.

The transition from secondary school to university is a defining milestone in a teenager’s life. It’s a time marked by newfound independence, academic challenges, and social shifts - often paired with a mix of excitement and anxiety. One of the most emotionally charged moments in this journey is Results Day. How parents and caregivers respond during this time can set the tone for a young person’s confidence and resilience moving forward.

This week’s Let’s all Talk Mental Health session focused on the unique challenges and opportunities summer can bring for families with neurodivergent teens. While the end of the school term may offer some relief, for many parents it also raises questions: How do we keep a sense of structure without overwhelm? How can we support rest, connection and fun while meeting different needs in the family? And what does it look like to prepare - gently and realistically – for the return to school in September, especially if your teen has been out of school or avoids it altogether?

This week’s Let’s all Talk Mental Health session tackled an issue that continues to concern many families: self-harm among teenagers. We were joined by Dr. Monika Parkinson, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and author of When Teens Self-Harm: How Parents, Teachers and Professionals Can Provide Calm and Compassionate Support. With over two decades of experience in the NHS, higher education, and private practice, Dr. Parkinson brought clarity, compassion, and practical advice to a complex and sensitive topic.

In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Jessica Hawley, a specialist in teen mental health and CEO of The RAP Foundation, for a powerful and much-needed conversation about how to talk to teenagers about sex, consent, and healthy boundaries.

As Jessica reminded us, consent is not just a checkbox - it’s a lifelong concept rooted in respect, communication, and personal empowerment. In today’s hyper-connected world, where teens face a barrage of information (and misinformation), understanding consent is more critical than ever.

In this week’s Let’s all Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah-Jane Knight. We talked to her about understanding and supporting teenagers with ADHD, whether they've been previously diagnosed or you’re simply noticing challenges with focus, impulsivity, or social interactions. Understanding how ADHD affects your adolescent is the first step toward offering meaningful support.

This week’s Let’s all Talk Mental Health session offered some great insight and perspective on one of the top worries for parents and carers: how to support and talk to teenagers on peer pressure, substance use, and social expectations.

Why do we need to be talking to our teens about this? Well, when 95% of 15–18-year-olds say vaping is everywhere among their friends, and 60% of 13–18-year-olds have come across drug content on social media, it’s clear it can’t be ignored. Our teens need open, informed conversations now more than ever.

How can parents support their neurodiverse teen’s emotional wellbeing and social development when they thrive in some areas, but struggle in others?

In this week’s session, we talked to Dr. Sheila Redfern,Author, Consultant Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Head of Family Trauma at the Anna Freud Centre, who has over 30 years’ experience supporting the mental health of children, young people, and families.

When your teen is struggling, it can be overwhelming. You want to be there for them, but knowing where to turn - and how to actually get the right help - can feel like a maze. CAMHS, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, plays a vital role in supporting young people, but for many parents, the process feels unclear. How do you access it? How long will it take? Will your child get the support they need, and when?