Navigating Mental Health Challenges When Parents Don't Listen

Struggling with mental health issues is tough, especially when the people you turn to for support dismiss your concerns. If your mother won't listen to you when you speak about potential mental health problems and you aren't comfortable seeking help at home, there are other avenues to explore.

What Can You Do?

If you feel comfortable, try talking to another trusted adult, such as a teacher or school counselor. They might understand your situation better and can help you find support. Additionally, there are online resources and hotlines that provide guidance. Remember, your feelings are valid, and reaching out for help is a strong step forward.

The Hardness of Parental Dismissal

It is incredibly sad when your own mother won't listen to you in your time of need. It could be because she doesn't think it's possible that you have a mental illness, or she doesn't believe in mental illnesses, or she is in denial due to a lack of courage to face reality. In the worst case, it may be because she doesn't care. This heavy topic carries a range of emotions, so it's important to seek support from those who can provide comfort and guidance.

Personal Insights on Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

When I was your age, I struggled a lot with clinical depression and anxiety. It took many years for me to figure out that the best treatments were:

Daily Physical Activity

Any kind of daily physical activity, from biking and nature hikes to swimming and dancing, sports, weight training, or any form of exercise you enjoy. Regular physical activity plays a vital role in mental health. It helps to release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Healthy Eating Habits

Cutting back on anything with salt, sugar, or other sweeteners added, and reading ingredient lists. This is surprising because almost everything we eat or drink contains these additives. Removing these additives has made a huge difference in my mental health over the years.

Mindful Entertainment

Reducing your reliance on mindless fun entertainment like junk food for the mind. Fun videos, games, TikTok, music, or porn can provide temporary pleasure but are often detrimental to long-term mental health. Better alternatives include spending time in nature, helping others, hanging out with friends, reading to learn about the world, participating in sports, and engaging in creative or constructive activities.

Avoidance of Harmful Substances

Steering clear of substances like weed, nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs. At your age, it's crucial to know that these substances can significantly worsen depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems, not to mention the risk of addiction.

Embracing Acceptance

Acknowledging normal feelings of pain or discomfort, accepting when you are sad, lonely, or bored, and not turning to comfort foods, drugs, or entertainment to numb yourself.

Setting Meaningful Goals

Finding short- and long-term goals that make you feel accomplished. Having reasons to get out of bed each day fills our lives with meaning, providing a significant boost to mental health.

Building Deep Relationships

Forming deep and meaningful relationships. These provide a sense of belonging and support, ensuring you have someone to talk to and support during rough times. In return, you can provide support when they need it.

These strategies have helped me overcome my clinical depression and anxiety. I haven't experienced either for over 14 years now, without any medication or therapy. It is indeed possible to overcome these debilitating mental illnesses, as I have seen many others do over the years.

If your mother won't listen, and you need someone to talk to, feel free to message me here on Quora. I hope you will be okay.