Better understand how to navigate teen mental health issues in our latest episode, featuring Robin Glenn, chief strategy and business development officer with 7 Mindsets. She’ll help demystify typical teen behavior from red flags, provide tips for creating supportive environments at home and school, and share methods for fostering open communication on sensitive issues.
Robin Glenn is an accomplished therapist with over 25 years of experience in working with at-risk teens and their families. She founded BASE Education, a student mental health solution acquired by 7 Mindsets in January 2023. As chief strategy and business development officer with 7 Mindsets, Robin oversees curriculum development and strategic initiatives, further expanding the integrative capabilities and partner access to the highest quality program.
Prior to founding BASE, Robin’s professional work included roles as a school-based therapy specialist for at-risk teens, private practice therapist for adolescents and their families, treatment coordinator for intensive in/outpatient teen programs, and research specialist in clinical trials for adolescents with addictions. While serving in her various roles, Robin served on panels and boards for various teen organizations, and she has and continues to train law enforcement, school administrators and faculty, medical professionals, and members of the community through various speaking engagements and seminars on issues pertaining to at-risk youth. Robin is also on the advisory council for the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship for the University of Colorado at Denver Business School.
Key Takeaways
- Create an intentional space so you can understand where your teens are coming from. They often don’t know to talk about their feelings unless we make the space to give them the opportunity.
- Create this space in a private setting away from others, allow time so no one feels rushed, sit side by side, set the tone to make it an easy-going experience.
- Creative ways to ask questions so your teen will open up: “tell me some cool things that happened today, tell me what’s keeping you up at night, what’s it like being you right now…help me understand.
- Teens pick up on everything. If you’re asking them a question, listen! Don’t be distracted.
- Give your teen the chance to fail when the price is low. When they fail at home, it gives you the opportunity to talk with them about risky behavior to set them up for success in the future, when the stakes are much higher.
- It’s important to give your teens enough rope so they can experience life. They will fail, this is the nature of being a teen, and being there for them to help them understand what they’ve learned from the mistake, is vital to their growth.
- Mindsets to view life: letting go of unlimited beliefs, holding your self accountable, live to give, attitude of gratitude, and more.
- Helping your teen find their passion: let them try different activities and be involved in what they experience so you can see what gets them excited. Help them bring out that passion and let them know what you see in them.
- Model cell phone use so your teen knows to put their phone down because you do. Put it in another room.
Resources:
- Website: https://7mindsets.com/
- Email: robin.glenn@7mindsets.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-glenn-b4144b13/
