Open Doors Handout Open Doors
Supporting Your Son Through Depression
Parent Workshop: ____________________
Date: _____________________________
The Goal: Connection Over Correction
When a 7th-grade boy is struggling with depression, he often lacks the vocabulary to explain his pain. Our goal isn't to "fix" his mood immediately, but to create a safe harbor where he feels heard without judgment.
1. Understanding the Barrier
Why is it so hard for them to talk?
Developmental Shift
Early adolescence is marked by a drive for independence. Admitting "sadness" can feel like "weakness" or a loss of autonomy.
Brain Fog
Depression impacts the prefrontal cortex, making it physically harder to organize thoughts and express complex emotions.
2. Opening the Door
Try these low-pressure prompts. Often, talking "side-by-side" (while driving or doing an activity) is more effective than eye-to-eye.
"I’ve noticed you’ve been spending more time alone lately. I’m not here to nag, I just want you to know I’m in your corner."
"If your mood was a weather report today, what would it look like?"
"You don't have to explain everything, but if you're feeling heavy today, I'm happy to just sit here with you."
3. The LEAP Technique
Practice these four steps to ensure your son feels validated rather than interrogated.
L
LISTEN: Give 100% attention. Don't interrupt to offer advice yet.
E
EMPATHIZE: "That sounds really exhausting/frustrating." Focus on the feeling.
A
AGREE: Find something you can agree on (e.g., "I agree, school is a lot right now.")
P
PARTNER: "How can we tackle this together? What's one small thing I can do to help?"
Personal Reflection & Practice
Scenario: Your son says, "I'm just tired and I don't want to go to practice anymore."
Instead of saying "You can't just quit things," try a LEAP response below:
My "Safe Word" or "Check-in" Plan:
What is one non-verbal way your son can let you know he's having a hard day? (e.g., a specific emoji, a post-it on the fridge)
Disclaimer: This handout is for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice. If your son is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.
Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Open Doors Facilitator Guide Teacher Resource
Workshop ID: SD-7-PARENT
Open Doors Facilitator Guide
Leading Parent Workshops on Early Adolescent Depression
Workshop Specs
Duration
60-90 Minutes
Target Audience
Parents/Caregivers of 7th grade boys
Materials Needed
Open Doors Handout, Writing Utensils, Slides
Core Philosophy
This workshop is designed to move parents away from "solution-oriented" thinking and toward "connection-oriented" presence. Many parents of 7th-grade boys feel shut out; our job is to show them how to wait at the door without knocking it down.
Safety First
Validate Emotions
Active Presence
Workshop Flow & Facilitation Notes
Part 1: The Invisible Wall (15 mins)
Slides 1-4
Focus on the biological and social shifts in 7th grade. Normalize the difficulty of the conversation.
FACILITATOR PROMPT:
"By a show of hands, who has asked 'How was your day?' and received a one-word answer this week?"
Part 2: Opening the Door (20 mins)
Slides 5-8
Introduce the "side-by-side" communication theory. Discuss why direct eye contact can be threatening for boys in crisis.
Highlight the difference between "Helpful" and "Hurting" responses.
Activity: Ask parents to circle one starter on their handout they feel comfortable using tonight.
Part 3: LEAP Skills & Roleplay (40 mins)
Slides 9-14
The core of the workshop. Parents practice the LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) technique.
Common Pitfall
Parents often jump straight to 'Partner' without enough 'Empathy'. Remind them: No P without E.
Group Tip
If the room gets heavy, remind parents that seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not failure.
Difficult Dynamics
When a parent is defensive:
Validate their frustration. Parenting a child with depression is traumatizing for the parent too. Reiterate that depression is a clinical condition, not a parenting failure.
When the son refuses to talk entirely:
Discuss the "Check-in" plan. It’s okay if he doesn't use words yet. Focus on shared activities—gaming together, watching a show—to build the "bank account" of connection before making a "withdrawal" in conversation.
Closing Thought
"Your presence is the most powerful medicine you have. You don't need to be a therapist to be a lighthouse for your son. Just keep the light on and the door open."
Open Doors Slides Parent Workshop
OPEN DOORS
Navigating sensitive conversations with your 7th grade son about mental health and depression.
The "Invisible Wall"
7th grade is a biological hurricane.
A mix of hormones, social pressure, and a drive for independence makes communication feel like a minefield.
Depression isn't "sadness"—it's a lack of vitality.
Common Barriers:
Fear of being a "burden"
Lack of emotional vocabulary
Belief that parents "won't get it"
Shame/Embarrassment
The Power of "Side-by-Side"
The Commute
Cars are perfect for hard talks. No direct eye contact reduces the "threat" response.
The Activity
Gaming, tossing a ball, or cooking. Shared focus makes vulnerable talk easier.
The Walk
Movement helps process emotions. It feels more like a team than an interrogation.
"Don't wait for the perfect time. Create the safe space first."
THE
LEAP
SKILL
A simple framework to keep the door open when things get difficult.
L
Listen
No phones. No advice. Just presence and silence for at least 60 seconds.
E
Empathize
"It makes sense that you feel that way." Name the feeling to tame it.
A
Agree
Find one thing you can agree on. "I agree, this week has been brutal."
P
Partner
"What do you need from me? Space, or a distraction?" No fixing yet.
Pivoting the Conversation
Avoid
"You have so much to be happy about!"
Try Instead
"I can see how heavy things feel right now. I'm just glad you told me."
Try Instead
"What does that sadness feel like in your body? Heavy? Empty? Loud?"
Lighthouse Parenting
You are the lighthouse. You don't jump into the storm to stop the waves. You stay on the shore, keep your light bright, and help him find his way home.
Next Steps
1. Pick a Side-by-Side activity
2. Use one "Open Door" prompt
3. Agree on a "Safe Emoji"
Crisis Help
Dial 988
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
Spring Break Blueprint Spring Break Blueprint
Your Guide to a Balanced Break
Student: ________________________
Week of: ________________________
Note to Parents & Students
Breaks from school are great, but the loss of routine can sometimes make depression feel heavier. This blueprint isn't a "to-do" list—it's a menu of options. Pick what works for you today, and remember that doing one small thing is better than doing nothing at all.
1. The Weekly Pulse
Circle an emoji each day to track how your "battery" feels.
Mon
😊 😐 😔
Tue
😊 😐 😔
Wed
😊 😐 😔
Thu
😊 😐 😔
Fri
😊 😐 😔
Sat
😊 😐 😔
Sun
😊 😐 😔
2. The Choice Menu
Choose one activity from any category to try today. Check it off when done.
Low Battery (Inside)
Listen to one full album without a screen
Organize one drawer or small space
Sketch or doodle for 10 minutes
Take a shower with a favorite scent
Power Up (Outside)
Walk around the block (no headphones)
Sit in the sun for 15 minutes
Toss a ball or kick a soccer ball
Go for a 20-minute bike ride
Connection (Mini)
Send a funny meme to a friend/cousin
Ask a parent to cook a favorite meal
Play one round of a card/board game
Pet or play with a family pet
Mind & Skills
Practice 4-7-8 Breathing for 3 rounds
List 3 things you're glad happened today
Read 5 pages of a book or graphic novel
Learn a new hack or skill on YouTube
3. The "Heavy Days" Toolbox
The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
When you feel overwhelmed or stuck, name these things out loud or in your head:
5
Sight
4
Touch
3
Sound
2
Smell
1
Taste
Build Your "Emergency Box"
Grab an actual box (or a corner of your room) and put these in it for when things get really tough:
A soft blanket or sweatshirt
A list of "safe" YouTube videos
A specific fidget or stress ball
Tiny Wins Bingo Activity Tiny Wins Bingo
Spring Break Edition
When you're dealing with depression, "small" things are actually big things. Use this board to celebrate the tiny victories this week.
Opened the blinds today
Drank a full glass of water
Listened to a favorite song
Texted one friend
Took a shower or bath
Ate a healthy snack
Made my bed
Took 3 deep breaths
Laughed at a video or meme
Stepped outside for 5 mins
Brushed my teeth
Said 'Hi' to a family member
FREE SPACE
I'm proud of myself today!
Cleaned one small surface
Did 10 jumping jacks
Read 2 pages of a book
Played a game (even alone!)
Named 1 thing I'm good at
Put on fresh clothes
Doodled for 5 minutes
Sat with the family at a meal
15 mins without a phone
Noticed a sound outside
Saw a color I liked today
Finished one 'Tiny Win'!
The Reward: ___________________________________
Parents: Decide on a reward together for getting a "Bingo" (5 in a row). It should be something connection-based, like choosing the movie for family night, a favorite takeout meal, or 30 minutes of gaming together.
Parent's Tip
Don't ask "Did you do your Bingo?" Instead, if you see him do something, say "Hey, I think that's a box on your board!"
Student's Tip
On the hardest days, aim for just one box. Even the center space counts as a win for just being here.
Part of the Open Doors Workshop Series. This tool is designed to support mental health management and is not a clinical treatment.
Small steps lead to big places.