Many of us have friends who struggle with mental health challenges, and while we want to help, it’s not always easy to know where to start.
In this SpeakReal Podcast episode, host Natasha speaks with Matthew Ricco, an experienced mental health nurse and psychotherapist, about ways to provide meaningful support to young people navigating mental health challenges. Their conversation offers practical advice, tools, and heartfelt insights for youth and parents alike.
Recognizing the Signs of Someone Who is Struggling
It can be difficult identifying when a young person might be struggling with their mental health. From his perspective, having worked with youth, Matthew shares what he has noticed in his patients:
“It’s not always about what they say but what they show. Watch for changes in behaviour—withdrawal, irritability, or even excessive energy can all be signs.”
For parents and caregivers, this means being observant and creating space for open dialogue when something feels off.
How to Fight Mental Health Stigma
Natasha asks Matthew how one as an individual can support a culture where people feel safe about sharing what they’re struggling with without facing stigma. Matthew’s response emphasizes to be careful about the words you use, as having good intent cannot always guarantee a good impact on the receiver.
He gives the example:
“If you joke about depression, even without meaning harm, your friends who are struggling with their mental health may not open up to you.”
The Importance of Active Listening
Matthew recognizes that people will have the knee-jerk reaction to want to give advice when someone they know is struggling. Immediately wanting to “fix” something is a common response to many of life’s problems. However, he believes that unless advice is asked for, to avoid unsolicited solutions, and take a different approach, one of listening and understanding. To anyone who doesn’t know how to help, he advises to become a good listener, as he believes listening does a lot more than you would think to help someone.
He says,
“When a young person shares their feelings, they’re not always looking for advice—they want to feel heard and understood. Start by listening without judgment.”
This approach can build trust and encourage young people to express themselves more freely over time.
5 Evidence-Based Ways to Support Youth Mental Health
From his perspective as a mental health registered nurse and psychotherapist, Matthew shares actionable steps for parents, teachers, and caregivers to create a supportive environment for young people in their lives:
- Create a Safer Space: Do your best to ensure youth feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment around you.
- Encourage Healthy Habits: Promote activities that are proven to increase wellbeing, such as: regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and consistent sleep schedules.
- Validate Their Emotions: Avoid minimizing or dismissing what they’re feeling. Acknowledge their experiences as valid.
- Model Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Show them how you deal with stress or challenges in constructive ways.
- Provide Access to Resources: Be proactive in connecting them with counselors, therapists, peer support groups, or even something you can do together.
Supporting Without Overstepping
For parents who might feel unsure about how involved they should be, and fear being received as being forceful, Matthew recommends finding balance:
“It’s important to let them take the lead when they’re ready, but always be there in the background. Support them, but don’t overwhelm them.”
Matthew also stresses the importance of maintaining one’s own boundaries when helping others. He advises to know your boundaries, accept them, and work within those capabilities, to avoid burnout.
Mental Health First Aid Course by Matthew
Matthew’s Mental Health First Aid course is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to make a difference in youth mental health. Designed for parents, teachers, and peers, the course covers:
- How to recognize signs of mental health challenges early.
- Effective communication techniques to support someone in distress.
- Steps to guide youth toward professional help when needed.
This course empowers individuals to confidently support youth in distress, fostering understanding, connection, and guidance toward appropriate mental health resources. It is available here: https://whatmattrs.com
As Matthew puts it:
“You don’t need to be a mental health professional to make a big difference—you just need the right tools.”
For more in-depth insights and practical advice, watch the full episode with Sana on the SpeakReal Podcast here:
YouthSpeak is a charity organization based in the GTA, Canada that conducts assemblies and interactive workshops to help increase the resiliency of youth facing challenges today. To find out more about our projects and initiatives, visit https://youthspeak.ca/. Help support our For-Youth-by-Youth projects by donating at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/i-support-youthspeak
