If you or your child/teen is suicidal or in crisis, click here to go to our list of helplines numbers for all ages.

Rangatahi / young people with FASD often struggle with mental health issues. Following are some of the more common concerns they may experience and how you can support them. 

Self-Esteem  

Young people with FASD they may start to feel different from their peers, have trouble socially or struggle in school. As a parent or caregiver, there are things you can do to try and help them feel good about themselves, such as: 

• Find and create opportunities to build on their strengths, talents and interests.
  
  
• Celebrate even the smallest of successes with your rangatahi.
  
  
• Discuss their strengths with teachers at school and with other service providers, to ensure they use and build on them.
  
  
• Get your rangatahi involved in recreational activities that can provide opportunities for building friendships and experiencing success. 

Substance abuse 

There are many reasons why young adults with FASD may experiment with drugs or alcohol, such as low self-esteem, peer influence, a need to fit in or as a way to cope with their feelings. Following is a list of strategies that may help you to support them. 

• Talk to your tamaiti / rangatahi about substance use and your whānau expectations about using alcohol and other drugs.
  
  
• Be curious when asking your young person about substance use but try not to judge. Staying neutral will encourage your young person to be honest with you.
  
  
• If you suspect your young person has substance use problems or has developed an addiction, contact your local Alcohol and Drug Service for support and information about how to talk to your child or young person about it.  
  
  
• Connect with their school about what addiction/counselling resources are offered in their school.
  
  
• Provide the counsellor with information about your child/teenager’s primary diagnosis to ensure the service provided is best suited to their learning style.
  
  
• Get involved to help your young person at home and in the community with the goals they set during counselling sessions.
  
  
• Provide reminders and/or transportation to appointments.
  
  
• Check out our resources aimed at AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) professionals which may be helpful here. 

Self-Harming Behaviours 

Self-harming behaviours may take many forms, such as cutting, scratching, not eating, vomiting after eating (bulimia), not allowing wounds to heal, burning or hair pulling. It is important to know that self-harming is most often used as a way of coping. 

• It's best to get professional help to find out if your child is using this as a way to cope with feelings. If that is the case, try to react calmly, without judgment or blame. Remember that your young person is already feeling hurt. Ask professionals for more ways you can help them overcome self-harming behaviours and develop healthy ways of coping.
  
  
• Explore healthy coping methods your young person can use, such as writing their feelings in a journal, listening to music, drawing or other artwork, and exercising.
  
  
• Use feelings charts to help your rangatahi normalise all feelings including anger, sadness and joy.