CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of doctors are meeting in Charlotte this week to help parents better understand how to spot the warning signs teens are coping with mental illness and depression.
- Leaders with Newport Academy say most lyrics aren’t bad because they can open the door to talking about hard topics
- It’s part of a push to get parents talking to teens so they can tell if they’re struggling with depression
- Experts suggests, try to plan to cook a meal with teen because it’s bonding and allows time to slow down and hear what they’re saying
Some mental health experts say, it can be as simple as listening to music lyrics.
Leaders with Newport Academy say most lyrics aren’t bad because they can open the door to talking about hard topics.
“Kids will talk all day long about the artist and project what they’re going through because they relate to it,” says Tim Ringgold, MT-BC, a music therapist with Newport Academy.
It’s part of a push to get parents talking to teens so they can tell if they’re struggling with depression.
Doctors are learning about more holistic approaches to treatment, like music therapy. It was presented at the Academy's conference, "Rethinking Teen Mental Health: A Path to Sustainable Healing."
“A lot of trauma gets buried in the body and you need experiential things that are non verbal to release that energy,” Ringgold says. “That’s why art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, those are all great therapies, including equine therapy to engage the whole body.”
Ringgold treats his patients in a retreat-like setting. Experts suggests, try to plan to cook a meal with teen because it’s bonding and allows time to slow down and hear what they’re saying.