Youth often face many complex issues that can lead to crisis situations. These factors may include: Biological changes, social stigma and family dynamics.
If you notice your teenager experiencing a crisis, it is important to take action right away. This can include: Identifying and addressing underlying issues, building strong relationships, promoting healthy habits, and being attentive to use of technology and social media.
Mental health issues
The number of youth with mental health issues has grown over the last decade. Those who suffer from anxiety and depression have a higher risk of self-harm or suicide, while those who identify as LGBTQ+ have three times the rate of suicide.
The trend is exacerbated by factors like economic instability, insecurity of work, and a lack of adequate access to care. This includes a shortage of mental health professionals. In addition, a number of young people live in families with low incomes or have to pay for housing in unstable markets.
The solution requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes. This can be achieved through dynamic research and the implementation of new approaches to prevention and early intervention. For example, integrated behavioural health in primary care can offer a holistic approach to youth mental health. Moreover, policies that reduce childhood trauma and economic stress can lower the risk of mental health problems in the future.
Substance abuse
Many youth experiment with drugs, often seeking out new experiences that can seem exciting or daring. Sometimes they become addicted to those drugs. Their drug use may affect their ability to function and interact with their family or friends, and it can cause legal or social problems for them.
They may fail to meet work or school responsibilities because of drug use; cut back on social and recreational activities; and start to spend money on getting the substance even if they can’t afford it. They may also go to extreme lengths to get the drug, such as stealing from family members or taking unsafe risks.
Youth can be treated for drug abuse and addiction through a variety of programs, including residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and community-based support services. Parents can talk to their child’s healthcare provider and find out more about the options available. There are also help lines and hotlines that can give information and referrals for treatment.
Trauma
Any event or disaster that is emotionally disturbing and/or physically harmful to a person can cause trauma. Children (0-18 years) are particularly vulnerable to the impact of traumatic events. They may exhibit feelings of shock and helplessness, generalized fear, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, clinginess, aggression, depression and school-related problems such as poor performance and a desire for revenge. Most people who experience trauma recover without long-term disabling effects; active coping skills and strong social support can mitigate these symptoms.
Trauma can be triggered by one-time events, such as being in an accident or witnessing a crime; or chronic events like living in a violent neighborhood, surviving a war, being abused or being the victim of violence or a natural disaster. It can also be triggered by events that occur repeatedly, such as childhood neglect and ongoing bullying or domestic violence.
It is important that you get help for any traumatic experiences, even if they happened a long time ago. Some services follow a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration and empowerment.
Relationships
In many cases, a teenager’s crisis can be triggered by relationships with other people. This can include family members, friends, and non-family mentors such as teachers or coaches. These relationships can lead to unhealthy or abusive behavior. Some examples of abuse may include yelling and swearing, controlling behavior such as monitoring a person’s phone calls or social media accounts, or isolating the person from their friends and family.
Adolescence is a time when teens often focus more on their peer relationships than their family connections. It’s also a time when they explore sexuality and begin to develop romantic relationships. However, this is not an easy period for everyone.
Youth in crisis need to be able to rely on their family, friends, and non-family mentors for emotional and mental support. In addition, they need to be able to access mental health and substance abuse services. These services should be rooted in the community and informed by youth voices, including those with lived experience.