When To Get My Teenager a Mental Health Evaluation: A Caregiver’s Guide

It’s been three months since your teenager started locking themselves in their room after school every day. Their grades have slipped a full letter. They quit the football team, and they’re posting concerning things on social media. 

And you’re worried. You’d hoped it was just typical teenage angst, but it’s been going on for a while now and you’re not sure what to do.

You’re not alone — and neither is your teenager.

If you’re concerned about your teen’s behavior, it might be time to think about getting them a mental health evaluation. This series of tests can help a mental health professional determine the cause, diagnose the symptoms, and create a tailored treatment plan. 

Read below to find out what a mental health evaluation is, when it might be time to get one, and how to talk to your teenager about getting evaluated.

Table of Contents

• Why Mental Health Evaluations Matter for Teens
• 4 Signs It Might Be Time for a Mental Health Evaluation 
• What Happens During a Teen Mental Health Evaluation?
• How To Talk to Your Teen About Getting Evaluated
• A Safe Place To Start: Kiwi Recovery Provides Teens the Support They Need

Mental health evaluations aren’t about fixing your teen or labeling them — they’re about helping them succeed now and in the future, as well as teaching them coping skills to deal with the emotional ups and downs of adolescence and adulthood. 

Early intervention during adolescence can improve a teen’s mental, emotional, and physical development in this pivotal stage of their lives. However, waiting can cause your teens' mental health issues to persist into adulthood, impacting their opportunities for a healthy and fulfilling life and hindering their success in the future.

Teen Mental Health Is Different Than Adult Mental Health

Your teen's brain is still developing until their mid-late 20s, especially the areas responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions. 

While adults primarily use their prefrontal cortex for decision-making, teens rely heavily on their amygdala, the brain’s center for emotions, impulses, aggression, and instinctive behavior. This neurological reality means that teens may experience emotions more strongly and have trouble regulating their decision-making processes.

Evaluations Aren’t Labels—They’re Tools for Support

At Kiwi Recovery, our mental health evaluations don't condemn or reprimand your teen — they improve their life by getting the help they need before it becomes a bigger issue. Rather than stigmatizing them, it gives teens the tools they need to help them realize why they’re feeling the way they are. Sometimes, just knowing the reason — and its clinical name — they’re feeling this way can be an incredible help. Instead of focusing on what’s “wrong,” evaluations focus on the “why.”

Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to treat your teen for a physical injury or ailment, mental health evaluations are the first step to treating their emotional and mental ones as well.

Contact our team to get started with receiving a mental health evaluation for your teenager today.

While every teenager will likely experience emotional upsets and poor decisions, these four patterns suggest it might be time to reach out for professional help. You should be looking for changes that last weeks or months and interfere with school, friends, or at home.

#1: Emotional and Behavioral Changes

When your normally outgoing and happy teen seems to be consistently sad, or talking about hopelessness for weeks on end, it typically points toward depression.

Extreme mood swings that last longer than normal may indicate a mood disorder. Watch for withdrawal from their favorite activities or social situations, or any behavior that’s out of character.

#2: Academic or School-Related Struggles

Academic changes aren’t always dramatic — but even just a small decline in grades or a handful of missed assignments can signal that something’s wrong. When schoolwork becomes consistently unmotivating for a student who once excelled in classes, it’s a red flag that may warrant seeking a mental health evaluation. Teachers may also report changes in grades, participation, or classwork completion that were not a problem before.

#3: Physical and Lifestyle Red Flags

Physical complaints with no apparent cause, like persistent stomachaches and headaches, could be a sign of elevated stress or anxiety.

Significant changes in sleep duration or time of day that adversely affect their normal daily routine warrant some questioning. 

Additionally, if your teen neglects basic hygiene and self-care or their physical health deteriorates, it’s important to find out why.

#4: Risky or Harmful Behaviors

You should seek immediate professional help if your teen makes any mention of suicide or self-harm. These comments should not be taken lightly. 

If you notice your teen using recreational drugs or drinking alcohol to relieve stress, numb emotions, or solve a problem, it’s time to step in. 

Risky sexual behavior and risky general behavior ‌in your teenager is also likely a sign that something is wrong and they need help. Remember, even a “high-functioning” teen may still struggle internally and cry out for help.

Initial Intake and Parent Interviews

At Kiwi Recovery, we start our mental health evaluation by speaking to you and your teen, recognizing that both inputs are vital to our process. This collaborative process ensures open communication between you, your teen, and the evaluator while still providing confidentiality for them. We value your observations and input just as much as your teens' daily life perspective.

Clinical Observation and Questionnaires

Our licensed clinicians use several standardized screening tools and questionnaires — including ones covering behavioral and emotional health, physical health, neurological functioning, and cognitive ability. These questionnaires and tools help us understand what your teen’s mental health situation is and identify any underlying diagnoses.

Our evaluation process is thorough yet compassionate. It’s designed to gather comprehensive information and insights about your teen’s unique needs and strengths.

A Personalized Care Recommendation—Not a One-Size-Fits-All Diagnosis

Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, we’ll evaluate all the information we gather through our screening process. Then we’ll create a personalized care recommendation treatment plan.

The goal isn’t to label your teen, but to support their growth and create a tailored treatment plan. Every recommendation we make is specific to your teen's mental, emotional, and behavioral needs.

Teens usually open up and become more and are more receptive to new ideas when they’re engaged in an activity. Doing something that feels natural and pressure-free is more likely to yield the agreement you want than staring at each other across a table.

Challenge misconceptions and stigmas by assuring them that getting help is a sign of strength, and tha‌t there’s no need to suffer in silence. Emphasize that therapy is a confidential judgment-free zone where they can explore thoughts and feelings without stigma or labels.

Discuss starting therapy in a calm, neutral tone of voice. It may be tempting to tell them they’re going while in a heated argument, but try to avoid that as it will likely make everything worse.

Here are a few scripts you can use to talk to your teen about getting evaluated:

• "I've noticed that you've been _______ lately, and I'm wondering if talking to someone outside our family might _______."
• "Many teens find it helpful to have _______ to talk through _______ with. What do you think about _______?"
• "Just like we see doctors for _______, it can be really helpful to talk to someone who specializes in _______."

If they resist, allow them to interview two or three therapists and tell them they can choose which one they feel most comfortable with. Allowing your teen autonomy may give them a sense of ownership over their treatment.

Here are some prompts to try if your teen is resistant:

• "I understand this feels _______. What if we _______ together so you can _______?"
• "It's normal to feel _______ about this. Let's _______ and see if _______."

At Kiwi Recovery, we understand that therapy can feel uncomfortable for you and your teen. Our team specializes in addiction recovery and mental health services for adolescents and young adults. We create a safe place where your teen can feel comfortable opening up. We’re here to support your family throughout the entire process, from the start and throughout your teen's journey with us.

Ready to take that first step? Contact Kiwi Recovery today to schedule your teen's mental health evaluation today.

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The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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