The use of substances among people seems to become quite normalised. You are curious so you want to try something New sometimes. And in some cases you were encouraged by your friends. In other occasions, you go on a journey yourself. When you used something, how was that? What have you experienced? Was it fun, or did you go bad?

The truth is that it’s very normal to have more questions than answers once you go through puberty and your young adult life. That’s usually OK, but there are times when it can cause insecurity about yourself, or others and what they think of you.

Being in school is not always fun and games either. Sometimes you hit a momentary rough patch, at other times you can go a longer while without feeling happy, instead feeling scared, angry or sad. You feel like it’s about time things changed for the better.

Sometimes the solution is right in front of you, but you can’t think of it on your own. Someone can stand by you and give a slightly different perspective. That way you can adopt their perspective and learn to handle things differently.

Who are you, really? The truth is that it can be nice not to always have an answer to that question, because that allows you to choose. But at the same time, you would like to know just who you are. That knowledge tells you where you belong, what’s right for you, and what you find pleasant. For that reason, it’s quite important to figure out who you are. So you can be yourself, beyond any doubt. It’s a rather tricky question, but one that can be answered!

A bi-cultural identity requires another approach. How do you combine your identities? Do you feel conflicted, carrying more than one (cultural) identity and relate to yourself and the world around you? Do the people around you (at school, work, your social context) understand you?

Are you a parent to a child between the ages of 13 and 23, and are you seriously worried?

Is the above true, even though you have tried to change the situation for the better? It can be helpful for adolescents to have a few consultations with an young persons therapist to help them break free from their own line of thought. The therapist knows and understands what troubles the adolescent. A therapist can offer just a little more than a parent/guardian can, because a therapist is not an insider, allowing him to be free from patterns that have taken hold.

Sometimes it’s preferable, or even necessary, for parents/guardians to be involved in the consultations once or multiple times. Communicating at a different level can make a big difference. As a parent, you can be so involved that you lose the ability to find a different approach.

Is one of your friends, or your boyfriend or girlfriend, not doing well?

Ideally you would like for them to get help, because you can’t solve all their problems. An expert can offer such help, for instance by listening closely and finding solutions together. Talk about it with your friend. They may not have considered the option of getting help yet. Motivate them not to go through all of it alone. Sometimes an initial conversation can have an effect, and you can make a big difference by nudging them in the right direction.