For the last five years, I have had the great privilege of serving my local health system as Medical Director for Home Hospice. Every week I sit in a meeting with the multidisciplinary caretakers on this team – the nurses who provide the great majority of the hands-on care, social worker, pharmacist, dietician, and pastor. We discuss all the patients currently under our care and discuss how we can improve each patients suffering and maximize their quality of life.

The patients we care for on home hospice are those we believe to be at the end of life. Some are actively in the dying process; others are stable, still going about their lives, but have a terminal disease with a high likelihood of death in the next six months. On home hospice, most patients either stay in their own home with help from a caretaker, often a family member; or they might choose to reside in a care facility where they can get more extensive needs met.

Our nurses and other staff get to know these patients and their families extremely well, and I truly enjoy hearing our patients’ stories relayed. I don’t always get to meet the patients cared for by our team, as most continue to stay under the care of their primary care providers while on hospice. But even when I am hearing their stories second hand, a theme stands out as a common sentiment of our patients – the desire to reflect on their lives.

Patients facing their own deaths want to talk about their lives. Our staff frequently tries to facilitate what they call a “ review” in which a patient can openly talk about their childhood, family, career, service, and sometimes their regrets. This is therapeutic for the dying patient and their loved ones. Even some patients with dementia, with no memory of recent years, can delight in recalling a story from their childhood, looking through old photographs, or listening to music they once loved.

I have recently thought about this particular human need – to reflect and remember ones life. I take this as a reminder to both seek those stories from my own loved ones (gosh, I wish I had asked my grandmother more questions about her life) and, perhaps, to tell and write about the things in my own life I would want to be remembered after I am gone. For if there is another thing I’ve learned serving patients on hospice, it is that my death is also inevitable; but, I think, life’s finality is what gives it beauty and meaning.

Kelly Evans-Hullinger, MD. is part of The Prairie Doc® team of physicians and currently practices Internal Medicine at Avera Medical Group in Brookings, South Dakota. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, and on social media. Watch On Call with the Prairie Doc, most Thursday’s at 7PM on streaming on Facebook and listen to Prairie Doc Radio Sunday’s at 6am and 1pm.

The most recent survey of teen mental health by the Centers for Disease Control in 2023 revealed that 20.3% of adolescents in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This reflects a 35% increase since 2016. The survey also found that 40% of teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, 20% seriously considered suicide, and, tragically, 9% attempted suicide.

These statistics should alarm any parent or grandparent of a teenager. As the mother of a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, I often think about my children’s mental health and how to best support them. They are growing up in a world far different from the one I knew. Today’s teens face the challenges of social media, cyber bullying, academic pressure, and the struggle to fit in with their peers, all while navigating the changes of puberty.

Like every parent, I want my children to be happy, resilient, and safe. The first step is creating a space where they feel safe sharing their thoughts and feelings. Listening to them without immediately jumping in to solve their problems or dismiss their emotions is a crucial skill for parents to practice. Taking the time to talk and ask open-ended questions about how they feel can make a significant difference. What might seem minor to an adult with years of experience and perspective can feel overwhelming to a teenager. It is essential for our kids to know we are here to support them, no matter the size of the problem.

Another key parenting strategy is modeling good self-care and emotional regulation. That can mean working on improving our own mental health. Showing teens how to be kind to themselves and handle life’s setbacks teaches them invaluable lessons. Mental health is not a one-time fix; it is a lifelong process. Adolescence is the ideal time to equip teens with healthy coping strategies. Teaching them how to handle stress and overcome failures prepares them to become thriving, well-adjusted adults.

Parents should also trust their instincts when something feels off. If your teen shows a sudden drop in grades, stops enjoying activities they once loved, or seems persistently sad or angry, it’s time to seek help. If teens become more withdrawn or secretive, having a discussion about your concerns is warranted. Resources like pediatricians, school counselors, and therapists can provide support and guidance.

As a mother, I am committed to walking this journey alongside my children, every step of the way. Together, we can navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and build the tools they need for a happy, healthy future.

Jill Kruse, D.O. is part of The Prairie Doc® team of physicians and currently practices as a hospitalist in Brookings, South Dakota. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show, 2 podcasts, and a Radio

program, providing health information based on science, built on trust, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central and wherever podcast can be found.