Everyday issues - ReachOut Parents

Every day we face challenges and tough times that can impact our mental health and wellbeing. In this section you will find information on some of the common issues that teenagers face. There are also practical tips and guides on supporting your teenager.

Words you need to know - Everyday issues

A glossary of services, people and terms you might come across about everyday issues.

Cyberbullying and teenagers

Learn about what you can do if online behavior gets nasty, and how you can help your teenager.

Bullying and teenagers

Learn about what bullying is, the effects and how it can impact your teenager.

School refusal and teenagers

School refusal is a difficult experience to go through for the whole family. Learn more about school refusal here, including what to look out for and strategies for how to manage it.

Bullying behaviour and teenagers

Learn about bullying behaviour and how to recognise if your child is bullying.

Work, finances, the future and teenagers

Help your teenager navigate the world of work, finances and stress about the future.

Sleep and teenagers

Learn more about why sleep is important, how much sleep your teen needs, what can cause sleep issues, and what you can do to support better sleep.

Transition to high school for teenagers

The high school transition phase is when teenagers finish primary school and prepare to start secondary school.

Single parenting and teenagers

Single or sole parenting can be rewarding but tricky to manage. You don't have to do it alone – here are some things that can help.

Anger and teenagers

Dealing with an angry teen can make you feel out of your depth. Learn why teens get angry, when it becomes a problem and what you can do about it.

Domestic violence and teenagers

Learn about the impact of domestic violence on teenagers and how you can support them.

Separation and teenagers

Learn about how to make divorce and separation easier on your teenagers and yourself.

Blended families and teenagers

Learn about blended families and step-parenting and how you can make change work for your teenagers.

School, education and teenagers

Learn about the different causes of stress at school and how to manage these hurdles more effectively.

Drugs and teenagers

Drugs can be a tricky topic to talk to your teen about. Here are the facts you need to know.

Stress and teenagers

It is important for teens to learn how to healthily manage stress. Here’s how to support a stressed teen.

Exam stress and teenagers

Learn about exam stress and how to support your teenager through their final years of school.

Family conflict and teenagers

Conflict is a normal part of family life. Learn how to minimise conflict at home.

Peer pressure and teenagers

Peer groups play a large role in young people’s lives, particularly during adolescence.

Self-esteem and teenagers

Understand self-esteem issues and ways to help your child feel more confident in themselves.

Risk-taking and teenagers

Not all risk taking is negative, some risky behaviour can have a positive impact on your teenager.

Alcohol drinking and teenagers

Learn the facts about the impact of alcohol and help minimise the harmful effects for you teenager.

Sex, consent and teenagers

Many teenagers are already thinking about sex so find out what you need to know.

Featured forum discussions

See all

Back to school with severe depression

Support for teenager struggling with depression and returning to school... Read more

Author: LovingThruBlue
Posted: 01-15-2017

Asking for what we need when things are tough

It can be difficult to ask for support when things get tough... Read more

Author: Ngaio-RO
Posted: 03-07-2017

Passive aggressive bullying

I'm really struggling with a type of bullying my daughter is experiencing... Read more

Author: sandrae
Posted: 10-29-2017

Mr. 16 has run away

My 16 year old son has run away from home... Read more

Author: Ballen
Posted: 29-10-2017

We've had enough. We've tried everything. What next?

My husband and I are at our wit's end. Where to next? We're completely lost... Read more

Author: kopykat
Posted: 10-26-2017

Having struggles with my 13 year old daughter

We have a 13 year old daughter who has gone downhill emotionally and confidence wise... Read more

Author: Moloko
Posted: 08-03-2017

Personal stories

A parent's story about exam stress

How a father helped his daughter beat stress with sound strategies, communication and patience.

A parent's story about risk-taking

Read Lila's story about her son Dylan and his risk-taking behaviour.

A parent's story about self-control

Cate's story about her son Anthony and his self-control.

A teenager's story about family conflict

A teenager tells their story about repect and learning to build positive family relationships.