Teen Mental Health Awareness with Intermountain Health
With Mental Health Awareness Month, Intermountain wants to also focus on how mental health issues impacts teenagers.
“Young people have their own set of challenges,” said Dr. Agatha Formoso, Intermountain Health pediatrician. “In addition to the body changes they are going through, they have this pressure to do well in school, and perform well, be well rounded students, get along with family. They are trying to figure out their futures, figure out who they are as people.”
Plus, they deal with large scale problems related to their socioeconomic environment (poverty, discord, food insecurity). They could encounter discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, and disability. Then overall fears about global conflicts, school shooting, climate change, and other issues
There are signs that parents and adults can look out for in teenagers and young people. Keep in mind that having just one symptom on this list doesn’t mean your teen is experiencing a full-blown crisis. Biological changes, including the hormone shifts all tweens and teens go through, can affect your child’s mood, school performance and more. But if you consistently see one or more of these signs, it’s time to open a conversation about mental health with your teen.
Mood swings, irritability, anger, tearfulness
Changes in sleep, weight, and eating habits
Loss of interest in things they loved
Withdrawing more than usual from friends, family and community
Academic struggles that seem different or more intense: for example, failing quizzes in their favorite subject or refusing to do homework that once would have seemed easy
Running thoughts or worries that won’t leave them alone
A whole new set of friends you’ve never met before
Refusing to talk about what’s bothering them, even after you’ve made it as safe as possible to discuss hard issues openly
Obsession with a certain goal, possibly with the belief that if they don’t achieve it, their life will never be the same
The most common mental health issues or disorders for teenagers are:
ADHD: about 10% of all U.S. kids aged 3 to 17.
Anxiety: about 9.5% experience anxiety that interferes with their everyday functioning.
Depression: about 4.5% live with depression which may look like the stereotyped tearful blues to anger and irritability.
Self-harm is thought to be underreported, but still a major issue in teens.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are less common but can co-exist with issues like anxiety and depression and cause major health problems.
Substance use is common in teens and is a use of concern on its own. Around 15 percent of all high-school students report they have tried street drugs and up to 30 percent have tried alcohol. Dr. Formoso said that substance use is something you should discuss with your teen, regardless of signs of a mental health issue. It can be extra concerning if parents notice it along with mental health issues. Because drinking and drugs are usually used to help cope with feelings or circumstances and is a sign a teen needs help.
We’re still learning about the ways social media affects human health, but studies have shown that 90 percent of teens are on multiple platforms and use social media every day. Teaching your children healthy use of social media can help reduce mental health and safety risks associated with its use.
How do I talk to my teen?
Having frequent conversations with your teens about their mental health makes it easier. Make check-ins a normal thing.
Make it a safe space to discuss tough or awkward issues. Reaffirm to your child that it is a judgement free zone.
Resolve to listen more than you speak.
Be patient and comfortable with silence.
Try not to blame yourself for your child’s problems. Life is hard and everyone is just trying their best. If you are a parent with mental health issues yourself, remember you are not the root cause of your child’s difficulties.
Consider timing conversations in a place or time when they are more relaxed.
Be supportive and remind them that their feelings are okay.
Realize that mental health stigma still exists. BUT REMEMBER – mental health is a part of human health. Seeking treatment is no different from getting care for a broken bone or infection.
Keep in mind that mental health is not just about responding to problems. It is important to promote positive mental health and resilience in everyday, proactive ways. Even if your teen is doing fine, help them find time for self-care and mood-boosting healthy habits. Make time to enjoy each other as a family. Positive activities and relationships can have a protective effect.
Intermountain has more tips, especially for tweens, on having vital conversations. Tweens years, ages 9 to 12, which are the transition years into teenagers, can be difficult as children find it hard to communicate their emotions. They tend to give one-word answers. Visit talktotweens.org for specific resources for this age group.
How can your Pediatrician Help?
Pediatricians can explain treatment options, including medications that might help. They can also refer you to mental health specialists who can evaluate your teen. In this way, your pediatrician will become part of a care team that can help you create a treatment plan, as well as a crisis plan that spells out what you will do if things get worse for your child.
“Remember, mental health is not something to stigmatize. It is like coming in for a sore throat or a fever. We are here to help you and understand it happens,” Formoso said.
You can find provider and more information at intermountainnv.org.
If your child has thoughts of suicide or actions they should NEVER be ignored. Call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at their number, 988. Trained lifeline staff will help you figure out immediate steps to protect your child.
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