Helping Teens
Teen Brain Development
This tip was provided by Mrs. Diora, our System of Support Adviser (SoSA) from LAUSD's Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS).
When you observe your child being too emotional or displaying odd behaviors, keep the following in mind:
- The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed.
- Adult and teen brains work differently.
- Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part.
- In a teen’s brain, the connection between the emotional part of the brain
and the decision-making center is still developing. - Teens have overwhelming emotional input. They feel more than they think.
Getting Help with Mental Health
Palms knows that mental health is an important aspect of a middle school student's well-being and growth. Our counselors and School Psychologist can provide general assistance when students or their parents have concerns about a student's mental health.
If your child is having non-emergency mental health or social-emotional problems, you can contact the Palms Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW) for consultations or referrals to resources or mental health services. She can direct you to a web form used to describe what you need and authorize help for your child.
Examples of problems for which you might ask for help:
- Academic Concerns: does not complete or missing assignments, low motivation, difficulty grasping subject, inconsistent class attendance/frequently tardy
- Behavioral Concerns: does not follow directions, disruptive, inattention, inability to remain seated, withdrawn, isolated
- Mood Concerns: frequently irritable, frequently low energy or seem sad, appears anxious, expresses worry more than usual, low self-esteem
- Grief & Loss: recent death in family or community is impacting student well-being
Emergency Assistance
If you or someone in your family needs immediate emergency assistance, please call 911.
Other mental health resources:
- The Palms Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255)
- LAUSD Student Health and Human Services hotline: 213-241-3840 (Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm)
- L.A. County Department of Mental Health: 800-854-7771