Helping Teens with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: A Field Guide for Catholic Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders

by Roy Petitfils

Winner of a 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers (second place, ministry); 2020 Catholic Press Association book award (second place, family life).


Do you struggle to know when or if it’s appropriate to step in to help a teen who seems stressed, anxious, or depressed? Do you know the signs to look for to determine whether a teen is in distress? In Helping Teens with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression , Roy Petitfils—a Catholic author, speaker, and psychotherapist—offers his personal experience, advice, and faith to give parents, pastors, and youth leaders the knowledge, courage, and tools they need to step in, make a difference, and be the presence of Christ for teens in crisis. Roy Petitfils knows what it’s like to be an addicted, depressed teenager, filled with self-loathing and desperate for help. He describes himself at high school graduation as by far the largest person in his hometown and yet feeling as though he were “stuck in Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak.” Weighing more than 500 pounds, he was addicted to food and hated himself. Now a leading Catholic voice in youth advocacy and creator of the popular podcast Today’s Teenager , Petitfils entered adulthood a very different person than he is today. His life was radically changed by a handful of people in college who reached out in friendship and helped him set a new course. Using personal life lessons and expertise gleaned from more than twenty-five years in youth ministry and private practice as a licensed counselor, Petitfils teaches parents, pastors, and youth leaders what they need to know about mental health issues among America’s youth. Whether teens need help coping with healthy levels of stress or face persistent, more serious problems with anxiety and depression, Petitfils will help the adults in their lives get comfortable with stepping in. Petitfils offers information and advice He explores the support and comfort available through the sacraments, Catholic devotions, different forms of prayer, and reading the Bible. Ultimately, Petitfils identifies how to gently, yet persuasively guide hurting young people to deeper trust in the tender mercies of God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Catholic

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2019

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi sono avvicinata a questa lettura per necessità, in quanto purtroppo una persona molto vicina a me sta affrontando dei seri problemi mentali.

Come sostiene l'autore, è proprio vero che quando riesci a dare un nome a ciò che provi o a ciò che vedi senti di averne almeno in parte il controllo, per quanto brutta la cosa possa essere in sé.
Il libro mi ha aiutato proprio da questo punto di vista: è da poco che si parla di salute mentale, e ancora capita di sapere che questi problemi esistono ma di considerarli come qualcosa di lontano da noi. Quindi quando iniziamo a riconoscerli nelle persone che abbiamo vicino ci sentiamo in difficoltà e anche in colpa, come se avessimo sbagliato qualcosa. Questo libro mi ha aiutato a sentirmi meno sola e mi ha ridato un po' di serenità.

Anche i consigli pratici sono molto utili e li ho apprezzati tanto. La prospettiva di fede poi arricchisce ulteriormente la lettura ai miei occhi.

[Dawna Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a way to prepare for an upcoming conference with this author as the main speaker. I have worked with teens in various settings for a long time and I found the content and structure of the book to be very helpful. Definitely recommend it to anyone who cares for young people today.

[lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a book report in my youth ministry class and I loved it! It was super practical and engaging the whole time. I read it all in one sitting and it was super helpful and enjoyable! Highly recommend to anyone, especially those who feel anxious or unfamiliar with working with teens.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm- wish I could have found more insights and richness from this book. Fell flat for me and nothing I feel I can really apply except to listen to teens. Give them space to feel and listen to them. Seemed a little too duh to me, and maybe just something I already know to do?!

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work at a middle school and found this book to be extremely helpful, as it is sometimes hard to navigate when and if to step in with students that are struggling.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for parents of teens, youth ministers, and teachers. The author is both a seasoned youth minister in the Catholic Church and a therapist. His expertise shines through and offers a brutally honest but loving view of life with teens. Petifils covers all the stress points a parent or youth worker needs to know about: teenage depression and anxiety, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, drug use, and the many challenges teens face in school and on social media. He is clearly in touch with teen culture and has seen it all. The author encourages spending time and forming relationships with teens, despite feelings of inadequacy on the part of adults. This book both reassured and inspired me.

Highly recommended, especially for parents with children going into this difficult stage of life.