In Phuket, limited mental health services, constant peer turnover, and a lack of social spaces outside school or home make it even harder for teens to build the emotional support systems we need to thrive. So, what can parents do to support their teens in a place that seems like paradise on the outside, but often feels isolating on the inside?
Social media
Unlike many European countries, Phuket has no dedicated youth centres for teens to socialise. The public transport system here is scarce and notoriously difficult to use, making in-person meetups even more challenging for us. Hence, many of us turn to social media.
Yes, social media helps us connect more easily than ever - but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good thing. A lot of my peers often describe feeling like they constantly have to perform, compare themselves to others, and manage how they’re seen online. Over time, this pressure builds up and makes some teens base their self-worth entirely on other people’s opinions.
Ironically, the rise in mental health awareness has also created a different kind of pressure. Some teens I know say awareness campaigns make it even harder for them to be honest about what they’re going through.
A 2023 study by Foulkes and Andrews found that although these campaigns are meant to reduce stigma, they can unintentionally heighten it - especially for teens. Some of us feel like our struggles aren’t “bad enough” to count, which makes speaking up feel risky. No one wants to be judged, dismissed, or misunderstood. So instead of reaching out, many stay quiet.
International environment
Growing up in an international school community poses a unique challenge. Peers come and go all the time, forcing teens to say goodbye again and again - an experience that can seriously affect our mental health.
I’ve been in a couple of international schools over the past 10 years, and I’ve seen it firsthand - new faces arriving each term, while familiar ones suddenly move away. It’s hard to fully invest in friendships when you know they might be short-lived, and this uncertainty often leaves us feeling lonely or disconnected. Eventually, some of us stop trying to get close at all.
A 2024 academic study by Li and Goldman found that teens who went through multiple peer turnovers had higher rates of loneliness and depressive symptoms compared to those with more stable friend groups.
While schools do offer some support, from what I’ve seen, no programs can fully prepare us for the emotional rollercoaster of losing friends over and over again.
What parents can do to help
The most powerful support we can get? A parent who listens with empathy. When we feel truly seen and heard by our parents, it builds a foundation of trust that helps us navigate through our challenges. Even small moments of genuine understanding can prevent emotional shutdown.
The moment we feel brushed off or misunderstood by our parents, we shut down emotionally. Even when parents mean well, dismissing our feelings can leave a lasting scar.
A better approach is something called “emotion coaching,” a parenting style developed by Dr John Gottman in the 1990s. It basically means responding to the child’s emotions with empathy, curiosity, and patience. It’s more than just letting us talk - it’s about helping us put our feelings into words and really listening. Saying something like “help me understand what you’re going through” can mean the world. It makes us feel safe.
Just as important is for parents to model vulnerability, humility, and honesty. Share your own struggles. Own up to your mistakes. Show us how to repair emotional rifts. When parents do that, they become someone we can go to without fear. Someone we can learn from, not just about life, but about how to deal with big feelings in a healthy way.
If you’re a parent reading this, know that just listening - really listening - can help more than you think. Encourage open, honest conversations. Ask questions without jumping in with answers. And when we feel heard, we’ll be much more likely to reach out when it really matters.
Dominik Schulz is a Year 11 student at HeadStart International School, City Campus. This article is part of his Work Experience Program, guided by Milla Budiarto from Safe Space Phuket.