How to better connect with your teen: National expert coming to Valentine

VALENTINE, Neb. – As the youth mental health crisis continues nationwide, research shows a troubling gap between what teens feel and what parents believe. Only about one in four teenagers say they always receive the emotional support they need from their parents. But parents are nearly three times more likely to think they’re providing that support, according to a report published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Next week, parents in Valentine will have the opportunity to hear from a national expert on how to close that gap. Mike Donahue, founder and director of the Nebraska-based organization Value Up, will speak with students on Monday, Sept. 15, before leading a session for parents and guardians at 7 p.m. at Valentine High School.

Donahue says the common belief that teens stop wanting to talk to their parents at age 13 is a myth. Instead, the conversations just grow more layered and complex. Donahue says that instead of trying to change the way your teen talks to you, you should change the way you hear what your teen is trying to say to you.

For more than three decades, Donahue has spoken live to more than one million students across the U.S. and around the world, including in Asia, South America, and Europe. He is also the author of four books: “Reinventing My Normal,” “Hidden Scars,” “Talking to Brick Walls,” and his latest, “Value Up.”

In addition to connecting with teens, Donahue is also recognized as a leading voice on respect, bullying, resilience, and school climate.