Heading for Safer Havens: Uniting Parents and Teens for Teenage Mental Health

By: Rishini Weeraratne

CSAS International School (CSAS) continues its commitment to teenage mental health with another impactful session in its ongoing series of discussions and workshops. Titled “Heading for Safer Havens”, the latest event took place on February 13, 2025, at the school premises. This session introduced a new format, featuring parallel discussions for parents and teenagers, tailored to address the unique challenges each group faces. Recognizing the dual necessity of parental guidance and teenage awareness, the school designed this session to foster mutual understanding. Parents explored strategies to support their children’s mental health, while teenagers were equipped with tools to navigate stress and emotional well-being in a healthy and constructive manner.

The sessions were facilitated by experienced professionals, including Ms. Shaleeka Jayalath, Principal of CSAS International School, Mr. Janaka Samaraweera, a psychologist, educator, and researcher from the University of Ontario, Canada, and Mr. Lahiru Fernando, a youth coach. Their expertise and open dialogue approach provided a platform for parents and teenagers to voice concerns and receive professional guidance.

Notably, CSAS International School has made these workshops accessible to all, ensuring that valuable knowledge and support remain free of charge.

Key Discussion Topics

For Parents:

• Communicating with your teenager
• Supporting your child through anxiety and depression
• Mental well-being of parents

For Teenagers:

• Triggers of stress
• Peer pressure & bullying
• Adolescent depression and suicidal thoughts
• Hormonal changes
• Coping strategies

CSAS International School’s dedication to mental health advocacy has been evident throughout the series of workshops held over the past three months. The initiative has garnered positive feedback from attendees, with one parent highlighting the “open forum concept” as particularly helpful in fostering honest conversations. Teenagers, too, appreciated the “comfortable atmosphere” and “simple explanations” that encouraged their active participation. Beyond providing practical coping strategies, these workshops aim to reshape the broader conversation on teenage mental health in Sri Lanka. The progressive themes of the previous sessions: “Weathering the Storm,” “Shifting the Tides,” and now “Heading for Safer Havens,” reflect a journey toward deeper understanding and lasting change. By bridging generational gaps and promoting open dialogue, CSAS International School is laying the foundation for healthier, more supportive relationships between parents and teenagers. For more information about upcoming teenage mental health events, contact 077 430 3204.