To the Parent Who Feels Like They’re Failing: You’re Not Alone

I want to talk to the parent who’s quietly falling apart.

If that’s you, I see you.

I’ve stood where you stand.

And I need you to hear something: You’re not failing.

When my daughter Maddie was alive, she was special.
She was silly, smart, kind, and wildly creative.
She had this way of making you feel like you were the only one in the room.
But even with all the love in our home, something shifted.
Quietly. Slowly. Invisibly.

If you’re a parent feeling helpless about your teen’s mental health, this is for you.

You might be watching your child withdraw, shut down, or spiral, and you don’t know how to reach them.

You’ve tried talking. You’ve tried giving space.

Nothing seems to work. And now you’re left wondering…

As someone who lost a child to suicide, I know this pain too intimately.

Focus on the little victories. Your child joins you for a walk. Your teen joins the family at the dinner table. Your teen smiles.

This challenge can feel even more urgent if you're a single parent or, more significantly, if you have a strained relationship with an ex-spouse or a co-parent who isn’t present.

It forced me to confront one of the hardest truths about youth mental health:

Most parents are doing the best they can with the tools they have.

But when kids struggle, parents often struggle silently, too. I know I did.

Parenting Through a Mental Health Crisis Is Overwhelming

If you’ve ever cried in your car after school drop-off…

If you’ve ever felt a knot in your stomach after another silent dinner…

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be doing more”.

You are not alone.

The shame and guilt we carry as parents is heavy.

But that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

It means you care deeply.

One of the most common questions I hear from parents is:

“How do I support my teen’s mental health when they won’t talk to me?”

The answer isn’t about having the perfect words.

It’s about being present.

A Simple Step That Can Help

Try this tonight:

Sit with your child and gently ask, “How are you really feeling lately?”

Then… pause.

No advice. No judgment. No fixing.

Just listen.

Sometimes, what they need most is your quiet presence.

Not solutions. Not lectures. Just love.

I wish I had asked more of those questions with Maddie.

I wish I had understood that even in silence, connection is possible.

Teen Mental Health Support Starts at Home

The world is facing a youth mental health crisis.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people.

And yet, many schools, families, and communities still feel unprepared.

That’s why we’re launching initiatives like MindGrade.org and MentorWell.

To help support teens emotionally and give parents the tools they never knew they needed.

Because mental health support doesn’t have to wait for a crisis.

It starts with creating space for emotional check-ins and honest conversations at home, school, and in your community.

You’re Not Failing. You’re Human.

If you’re reading this with tears in your eyes, please know:

• You’re not a bad parent.

• You’re not alone.

• And your presence still matters more than you know.

Keep showing up.

Keep asking.

Keep loving them, even when it’s hard.

That’s what support for youth mental health really looks like.

Need Support?

If you’re worried about your teen’s mental health and don’t know where to turn, you’re not alone.

That’s why I’ve partnered with KixCare, a trusted Canadian provider offering faster access to proper mental health assessments and treatment for youth.
No more waiting months. No more feeling powerless.

This service is currently available across Canada, and it could be the step forward your family needs.

👉 Visit KixCare to learn more and take action today.

And if this message hit home for you, please share it.
You never know which parent needs to see this right now.