As students move from the school year into summer, local mental health advocates say families can help teens by watching for changes, keeping some routine in place and knowing where to turn before a crisis grows.
Summer can bring relief from school stress, but it can also take away the structure, trusted adults and daily contact with peers that school provides. A 2024 review of summer programs found they may help children’s mental health and social-emotional well-being when school is out, though researchers said more study is needed.
A representative of NAMI Washtenaw County, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said parents are not expected to diagnose their children. The goal is to notice when something seems different, take it seriously and help the young person connect with care. The representative asked not to be named to protect family privacy.
Warning signs can include feeling sad or withdrawn, spending more time alone, risky behavior, intense fear or anxiety with physical symptoms, major changes in mood or behavior, and changes in sleep habits.
Adults should notice how intense the changes are, how long they have lasted and whether they are getting in the way of daily life. That might include trouble concentrating, pulling away from friends or activities, or behavior that could put the young person at risk.
“If you think, ‘This is a little weird. I don’t know why,’ don’t brush it off,” she said. “It’s better to look into it than not.”
Suicide warning signs can include talking, writing or drawing about death; saying they have no reason to live; feeling like a burden; feeling hopeless, desperate or trapped; giving away possessions; looking for ways to harm themselves; or losing interest in things they used to care about.
If an adult is worried a young person may be thinking about suicide, the representative said it is important to ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Many people worry that asking about suicide will make things worse, she said, but asking directly can help a young person feel less alone. Adults should not leave the young person by themselves if they believe the person may be suicidal, and should reach out for help right away.
The first conversation does not have to be perfect. Questions such as “Can you tell me more about what’s happening?” “How are you feeling?” and “Do you want to talk to me or someone else about this?” can help open the door.
Listening matters, she said. Adults may want to fix the problem quickly, but young people often need someone to stay calm, listen without interrupting and avoid minimizing what they are feeling.
Families can also help by encouraging routine, friendships, breaks, unstructured time, goals, empathy and a positive view of oneself. Helping others, including through volunteering, can also support a young person’s sense of self-worth.
Local resources
For immediate help in Washtenaw County, call Washtenaw County Community Mental Health at 734-544-3050 and ask for crisis services. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Ozone House answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week from youth and people who care about youth at 734-662-2222. The organization provides free, voluntary and confidential help for youth and families, including emergency shelter, housing and services for runaway, homeless and high-risk youth ages 10 to 20.
NAMI Washtenaw County offers support groups, family education and presentations. Washtenaw Intermediate School District maintains crisis, wellness and school-based resources for students, families and staff. The U-M Olson Lab lists additional teen and family resources in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
