You are your child's biggest fan. You are her cheerleader, her nurturer, her supporter, and her leader. When there is a problem, she turns to you and expects that you will know how to help. When you don't know how to help, it is your responsibility to put your fears, your pride, and your frustrations to the side and focus on your child's needs. Some believe that asking for help makes them weak or needy, and that they have somehow failed. A healthy parent knows and teaches his child that asking for help and support is actually a very brave choice.

Of course, teenagers will sneer at your words of advice, your compliments, or your attempts to draw them out. This is to be expected, but rest assured. No matter how they appear to be reacting to you, they are nonetheless hearing and registering what you say.

How to Advocate for Your Child

Never forget what you have learned about modeling behavior. When your child sees you taking action to resolve issues, he learns to do the same for himself. One of the biggest ways to make an impression on your child about the necessity of treatment is to show that you are not afraid to seek help. Ask questions, do research, and ask more questions. Explain to your child that the treatment of depression is as foreign to you as it is to him, but that you are not going to stop until you get him the help he needs.

How to Be an Advocate When Your Child Is Resistant

Kids are quick to deny that a problem exists, especially when there is a stigma attached to it like there is to mental illness. Your role as an advocate is to dispel his denial. Often, denial is really a form of fear, and the longer you allow him to live under the pretense that everything is fine, the worse you may be making it for him. Teach him about mental illness and the unfair stigma associated with it. Help him see that both of you can educate others who are facing this illness.

The moral of the treatment story is this: There are many treatment options to consider for helping your child, but you are not alone in the decision-making process. Once you have found a competent professional, you have a partner in your child's treatment plan. This is the person who will be able to help navigate you and your child through the murky waters of depression treatment.