Mind Matters Series: What Every Parent Should Know Before Their Child Reaches a Crisis
“As parents, we aren’t always hearing them.” – Greg McPherson
As parents, we spend years teaching our children how to speak, express themselves, and find their place in the world. Yet one of the greatest challenges of parenting isn’t knowing what to say—it’s knowing how to truly listen.
Young people today are navigating pressures that previous generations could never have imagined. Academic expectations, social media, identity, relationships, anxiety, loneliness and uncertainty all intersect during a time when their brains, emotions and sense of self are still developing. While every young person experiences these challenges differently, one thing remains true: feeling heard can make all the difference.
For Greg McPherson, that understanding came through unimaginable loss. After losing his son, Aric, to mental health and addiction challenges in 2019, Greg has spent years reflecting on what families need most—not only when they are in crisis, but long before they ever get there. His message isn’t one of blame or regret. Instead, it’s an invitation for all of us to become more present, more curious, and more willing to listen.
One of the easiest traps parents fall into is believing we need to have the right answer every time our child comes to us. We naturally want to protect them, solve their problems, and make difficult feelings disappear. But young people are often looking for something much simpler before they are looking for solutions. They want to know they are safe enough to be honest.
That means resisting the urge to immediately fix, explain, or reassure. Instead, it means asking another question. Sitting with silence a little longer. Letting them finish their thoughts before offering our own. Those moments tell a young person, “What you’re feeling matters.”
Listening also requires us to notice what isn’t being said.
Mental health challenges rarely appear overnight. More often, they reveal themselves through gradual changes that can easily be mistaken for typical teenage behaviour. A young person who suddenly withdraws from family dinners, loses interest in activities they once loved, struggles to sleep, becomes increasingly anxious, or seems disconnected from friends may simply be going through a difficult season—or they may be trying to cope with something much deeper.
Greg speaks openly about how easy it is for parents to explain these changes away until one day they realize something more serious has been unfolding all along. His experience is a reminder that curiosity is often more helpful than certainty. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with you?” we can ask, “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed yourself lately. How are you doing?”
Equally important is recognizing that families shouldn’t wait until they’re in crisis to learn what support exists.
During his interview, Greg reflected on how overwhelming those years were for his family. When your child is struggling, every decision feels urgent, emotions are heightened, and simply knowing where to turn can become incredibly difficult. That’s why becoming familiar with community supports before you need them can make such a meaningful difference.
Organizations like YSB exist not only to respond during moments of crisis, but to help families build resilience, strengthen relationships, and navigate challenges before they become overwhelming. Seeking support early isn’t a sign that you’ve failed as a parent. It’s one of the strongest decisions you can make for your family.
Perhaps the most powerful reminder Greg offers is that mental health is not someone else’s issue. It’s not confined to one neighbourhood, one school, or one type of family. Every community has young people who are quietly carrying burdens that others cannot see. Some hide anxiety behind good grades. Others mask depression with humour. Many simply become quieter.
As parents, we may not always recognize those struggles immediately, but we can create an environment where our children know they don’t have to carry them alone.
That begins with small, consistent moments. Sharing a meal without distractions. Checking in after school with genuine curiosity. Taking a walk together. Creating space where conversations happen naturally instead of only when something feels wrong. Over time, these ordinary moments become the foundation for extraordinary trust.
Greg often says that he hopes one day organizations like YSB—and even his own advocacy work—are no longer needed because every young person has the support they deserve. While that future may still be far away, each family has the opportunity to move us one step closer by making mental health part of everyday conversation rather than something discussed only in moments of crisis.
As parents, we won’t always know the perfect words.
We won’t always recognize every sign.
We won’t always get it right.
But we can choose to keep listening.
Sometimes, the conversation that seems ordinary today becomes the reason a young person knows exactly where to turn tomorrow.
Need support?
YSB’s Mental Health Services provide support for children, youth and families at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re looking for guidance, early intervention, or help during a difficult time, reaching out early can make all the difference. You don’t have to navigate it alone.