TODAY’S PRESENTATION
State of the problem
Improving Teen Mental Health
Treatment
Presentation for
Parents
Steps to take
Warning signs
Normal teen development
Types of mental health problems
Referral process
At least 1 in 5
children and
adolescents has a
mental health
disorder
No help =
1 in 10 has a serious
disorder
Pain
Suffering
Failing
90% of people who
develop a mental
disorder show
warning signs during
their teen years
Everyone Can Make a Difference
HELP =
Better academic
achievement
Less substance abuse
Improved chances for
their future
Every
Adult
School
Staff
Parents
Steps Parents Can Take
Parents’
Critical Role
NOTICE
TALK
ACT
Angry or
aggressive
behaviors
Poor
concentration
Increased
tardiness or
absences
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
Anxious
•Complex period of rapid
change, transition
•Challenges: fitting in,
defining identity, competing
demands (school, home)
Troubled?
Typical?
Typical
Adolescents
• Sometimes - other home
issues (divorce, violence or
substance abuse)
Bottom line: May
display alterations of
mood, distressing
thoughts, anxiety,
and impulsive behavior.
• Experiencing more than
normal developmental
challenges
• Without treatment,
more likely to have
serious problems:
• Academic
• Relationships
• Employment
Signs of
Trouble
What causes mental
health disorders?
biology + environment
Adolescent Mental Health
Disorders
As you NOTICE signs, ask yourself, are they:
• FREQUENT ?
– (e.g., adolescent is quiet, withdrawn over multiple
days/weeks)
• EXTREME ?
– (e.g., violent outburst)
If either:
• TALK with the adolescent
• ACT by communicating what you’ve to school staff or an outside
provider
CLINICAL DEPRESSION
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
Behavioral/disruptive
disorders
ANXIETY DISORDERS
•Deep despair, sadness, crying
•Overwhelming fear with no cause
•1 in 13 adolescents experience
symptoms
•Frequently runs in families
BIPOLAR DISORDER
EATING DISORDERS
•Extreme changes from happy to sad
•Unrealistic thoughts about weight
•1 in 100 adolescents have it
•1 in 20 adolescents suffer; 90%
females
•Hard to diagnose, looks like depression
SCHIZOPHRENIA
•Can result in death
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
•Strange thoughts, unusual behaviors
•Stubborn, argumentative, hostile
•High functioning, then big decline
•Major distraction in the classroom or
problems in the community
•Distrustful, no longer social, voices
ADHD
•Problems paying attention
•Can seriously impact ability to learn
CONDUCT DISORDER
•Verbal/physical aggression
•End up in juvenile hall
Adolescents use & abuse of alcohol
and drugs can be common. Why?
Adolescent Mental
Health
& Substance Abuse
• Curiosity, feels good, reduce stress, fit in,
feel grown up
•Some use drugs/alcohol to compensate for
anxiety, depression, lack of positive social
skills
Some facts: Adolescent mental health
& substance use:
Warning Signs of teen drug/alcohol
abuse
• Mental health disorders often co-exist with
substance abuse problems
Emotional:
• Repeated & regular recreational use can
sometimes lead to anxiety and depression
• Teen risk factors for developing serious
alcohol/drug problems: depressed, low selfesteem, feel out of mainstream, family history of
substance abuse, lack of positive social skills
Warning Signs (cont’d)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Personality change, mood changes
Irritable, negative attitude
Depression
Irresponsible or delinquent behavior
Drop in school performance
Change in groups of friends
Depression
Abuse of
alcohol/
drugs
Physical
complaints
Self-injury
Physical:
• Fatigue
• Repeated health complaints
• Red/glazed eyes, lasting cough
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Intense fear
of becoming
Frequent
obese
outbursts
Marked change
in school
performance
Unusual
behavior
Threats to
run away
Aggression
Nightmares
Threat to
harm self
or others
Sexual
acting out
Inability to
cope
EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Therapy, Medication
– Sometimes combination works best
No “silver bullet” or quick fix – timeframe
depends on:
Mental Health
Counselors
MEDICATION
– Severity of disorder
– Temperament of child
– Family & school support
Effective Mental Health Treatment
THERAPY
• Used to:
– Improve daily functioning
– Prevent serious symptoms
– Enable therapy to be more
effective
• Must be used
appropriately and only
under care of psychiatrist
or other physician
Effective Treatment for
Mental Health and Substance Use
Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT)
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
PROCESS
IN A
SCHOOL
TEACHER identifies a cause for
concern in a student
TEACHER talks
to student
TEACHER notifies SCHOOL
COUNSELOR assigned to student
(or CASE MANAGER for
special ed students)
• Adolescent psychiatrist consultation to help with
assessing for co-existing mental health diagnoses
and treatment decisions
STUDENT and SCHOOL
COUNSELOR meet
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER or
PSYCHOLOGIST or other is
engaged if needed
• Types of treatment might include inpatient,
outpatient programs, support groups, twelve-step
programs
SCHOOL COUNSELOR handles
problem OR
If problem is identified
as a behavior/conduct
problem, student is sent
to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL COUNSELOR provides
information on outside resources
PSYCHOLOGIST
PSYCHIATRIST
SOCIAL
WORKER
MH
COUNSELOR
External Referral
Process
NOTICE
TALK
ACT
More Resources for You
• www.healthyminds.org
– (American Psychiatric Association)
Changing a Life’s Course
• Other Resources
– www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry)