Youth are vulnerable to developing mental health challenges, particularly in times of stress and uncertainty. They often have difficulty accessing specialist mental health services, and wait lengthy periods of time for treatment.
This has contributed to a growing suicide epidemic, which is most prevalent among adolescents. Other economic trends like job instability and housing insecurity also variably impact youth mental health.
Anxiety
Anxiety is common among children and teenagers, but it can be difficult to know when it becomes a problem. Anxiety is a normal part of life, but it can become dangerous for some kids when they start to feel it all the time and have trouble coping with everyday life.
Identifying anxiety as the underlying problem can be challenging because symptoms may mimic features of other disorders (e.g., mood disorders). In addition, many anxiety symptoms have a physical component: a headache or stomachache; somatic complaints such as fatigue, tingling in the extremities, bladder and bowel issues, or breathing difficulties; or a cardiovascular condition like palpitations or chest pain.
A behavioral approach to treating anxiety can be effective. Typically, CBT treatments for anxiety include exposure exercises that expose the youth to their fears in a safe environment so they learn not to react to them negatively. In some cases, a behavioral plan should address the factors that reinforce avoidance, including disentangling sympathetic responses and tangible rewards from unhelpful forms of reinforcement.
Depression
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can affect how a young person feels, thinks and acts. It can be triggered by events such as school or work problems, relationship difficulties or the death of someone close, and it may run in families. Young people who are depressed might feel sad or hopeless, have trouble sleeping or eating and may lose interest in things they used to enjoy.
It is important for all healthcare professionals to recognise depression in young people and encourage them to seek help. They can refer them to a psychiatrist or mental health worker, who will use talking treatments like psychotherapy (including interpersonal therapy which helps improve relationships) and medication if necessary.
Some young people need more intensive treatment, which might include staying in a psychiatric hospital or doing a day program that includes counseling sessions and group activities with other patients. This can help them learn to manage their symptoms and make changes to their lifestyle that can prevent depression from returning.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD symptoms can cause problems in many areas of a young person’s life. For example, they can make it hard to pay attention in class or follow directions at work. They also may cause problems in relationships and friendships. They can even lead to depression and anxiety.
Children and teens can be diagnosed with ADHD by their primary healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. They can also ask for a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist, or contact their early intervention program or school system to get a free evaluation.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from psychological counseling (psychotherapy). They may also use adaptation strategies that help them manage their symptoms. For example, they might use a planner or smartphone apps to keep track of important events. They might also try cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches them to change negative thinking patterns. In addition, they can take medications. These include stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine.
Suicide
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents. It is a complex process that involves a combination of risk factors, including mental disorders, family and social circumstances, availability of lethal means and access to medical care. The transition from considering suicide to committing it typically happens impulsively in response to acute psychosocial stressors, especially for teens.
Young people who kill themselves often have a history of depression, an eating disorder (especially anorexia nervosa) or substance abuse disorders. A previous suicide attempt increases the risk of attempting it again in the future. The method used to commit suicide varies from hanging or running into traffic to poisoning with prescription drugs. Firearms are used in half of all youth suicides.
Teens who are thinking about suicide need someone to talk to – a friend, counselor, physician or parent. They must be reassured that depression and suicidal thoughts are very treatable. It also helps for them to have a stable home environment with parents who are not having relationship problems or who don’t fight in front of the child.