Parenting Teenage Mental Health-Social Media, Bullying, Suicide | The Dad Compass Podcast Ep12

05/11/25 • 72 min

#DadCompass #MensMentalHealth #TeenDepression
This week on The Dad Compass, Dmitry and Patrick take you on a roller-coaster ride through fatherhood—from a stranger’s simple act that prevented a teen’s suicide, to the tough-love tactics we use to keep our kids emotionally healthy...and of course wrap it all up with the grossest “Which fluid would you dispense from your fingertips?” challenge ever.
What You’ll Learn:
Why male suicide prevention starts with small acts of kindness
Warning signs every dad should know—and how to open the hard conversations
Real talk on bullying, social media impact, and teen depression
Proven check-in routines that help you stay connected with your kids
The power of tough love vs. unintended enabling
Heartwarming “fatherhood unscripted” moments—85-mile bike rides, volunteer pride, and academic wins
A laugh-out-loud question to the end: Which five liquids would YOU squirt from your fingers?
00:01 – Intro & Mother’s Day Shoutout
01:37 – Episode Focus: Helping Kids Navigate Mental Health
04:00 – Leadership Story: How a Stranger Saved a Life
07:03 – Hidden Struggles: Bullying & First Signs of Despair
12:47 – Teen Suicide Stats & Social Media’s Role
15:20 – Personal Bullying Battles & Immigrant Experience
20:01 – Spotting Teen Isolation & Starting Check-Ins
24:17 – Pressuring Kids to Speak Up & Switch Friend Groups
27:20 – Tough Love vs. Enabling: When to Step In
32:38 – Handling Tears: Why Kids Cry & How to Respond
35:15 – Kid Moment: “Having a Catch” & Building Confidence
49:32 – Fatherhood Unscripted: Jackson’s 85-Mile Bike Feat
58:03 – Fatherhood Unscripted: Ian’s Volunteer Firefighting Pride
01:02:24 – Logan’s Paper Recommended for Publication
01:04:19 – Weekly Question: The Ultimate Finger-Fluid Challenge
If you’re a dad looking for actionable parenting tips, mental health support, and a community of real-life stories—hit Subscribe, 👍Like, and drop a comment below with your finger-fluid picks!

Previous Episode

EP 11 Return of the Dad: Burnout, Therapy & the Mental Load We Carry The Dad Compass Podcast

May the mental health force be with you.
In this special May Mental Health Awareness Month episode of The Dad Compass, we dive into the heavy and the hilarious. From exploring men’s mental health and burnout to a bizarre news segment involving dildos in Hereford, it’s equal parts therapy and comic relief.
We talk depression, therapy, emotional suppression, fatherhood struggles, and the hidden toll of being a man in a world that expects silence. This is for the dads, the dudes, the depressed, and those just trying to keep it together.
Whether you’re new to therapy, stuck in burnout, or just looking for real talk with real laughs — join us.
🎙️ Catch the full podcast on Spotify & Buzzsprout:
🎧 Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/show/3QcOmPqj4coSwoUvxQ4sEr?si=108f8e6a2f9b4e07
🌐 Buzzsprout
https://thedadcompasspodcast.buzzsprout.com
Timestamps
00:00 Mental Health Awareness Month and Its Importance
03:04 Fatherhood Moments and Bonding Experiences
06:02 The Impact of Prank Calls and Parenting Lessons
08:57 Navigating Challenges in Fatherhood
11:59 The NFL Draft and Family Dynamics
14:47 Weird Shit Weekly: Unusual News Stories
22:23 The Unusual Dildo Purchases of Hereford
26:52 Exploring Mental Health and Fatherhood
27:11 The Struggles of Depression and Addiction
32:22 The Journey to Therapy and Self-Discovery
37:44 Understanding Emotional Suppression
44:26 The Impact of Mental Health on Relationships
56:59 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
01:01:03 The Importance of Seeking Help
01:02:42 The Commitment to Change
01:03:57 The Value of Connection and Memories
01:04:55 Therapeutic Conversations
01:06:50 The Weight of Parental Burnout
01:07:34 The Internal Battle of Self-Acceptance
01:10:52 Navigating Honesty in Relationships
01:15:05 The Art of Bluntness vs. Compassion
01:22:11 Recap and Reflection on Mental Health
01:30:38 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
🔖 #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #FatherhoodMatters #DadLife #DepressionSupport #ParentalBurnout #YouAreEnough #TherapyForMen #TheDadCompass #BreakTheStigma #Burnout #SelfCare #EmotionalSuppression

Next Episode

Survival Strategies for the Zombie Apocalypse (And The Purge): Dads vs. Chaos Ep 14

Welcome back to The Dad Compass Podcast! What would YOU do if tomorrow society collapsed into chaos—either with a Purge-style free-for-all or a zombie apocalypse? In this hilarious and wildly imaginative episode, we break down dad-approved survival strategies, debate fast vs. slow zombies, and discuss building your ultimate celebrity survival team. Would you fortify your local Walmart or escape to a secluded spot in Deer Trail? Find out our unconventional tips, dad hacks, and unexpected twists on surviving the unimaginable!

Grab your gear, dads—it's survival time!

🔥 In This Episode: - Purge Night and Zombie Apocalypse survival scenarios - Ultimate celebrity survival team picks - How dads handle family dynamics during chaos - DIY apocalypse survival tips and humorous dad fails - Zombie survival: Slow walkers vs. sprinters

👍 Join the conversation: Drop your zombie survival strategy or celebrity apocalypse team in the comments below!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly dad-centric humor, survival hacks, and real talk!