Youth in crisis are struggling with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness and suicidality. This is impacting young people, their families and their communities in predictable ways.
As you help your teen through difficult times, remember to take care of yourself. Also, always give information in a way that is developmentally appropriate.
Identifying a Crisis
While it’s common for teens to have emotional ups and downs, dramatic changes in a teen’s behavior could be a sign of a mental health crisis. Signs to watch for include extreme mood shifts, a loss of interest in activities, suicidal thoughts or actions and other forms of self-harm.
Many of the same prevention strategies that promote healthy mental health, like helping youth feel connected to school or family, also protect against a range of other health and risk-taking behaviors, including drug use, violence and higher-risk sexual activity that can lead to unintended pregnancy and HIV. These are often a result of chronic stressors and trauma, including childhood abuse or neglect, socioeconomic hardship and lack of social support.
Adolescents who experience these challenges, especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups or living in humanitarian or fragile settings, are more likely to have mental health conditions than their peers. This is why it is important to elevate their voices and ensure that programs and policies take into account the specific mental health needs of adolescents.
Helping Your Teen
Parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and other trusted adults can help teens who are experiencing mental health challenges. They should learn about warning signs and encourage young people to seek professional help when they notice them in friends or peers.
Many teenagers in crisis may be reluctant to ask for help and might not be able to articulate what they’re struggling with. They might also feel guilty or afraid that they won’t get better. Help them understand that getting treatment for a mental illness is as important as it is for a physical illness.
Teens who are in crisis often need positive, face-to-face connection from their parents to refocus and calm down. Try to find a time to connect when you both are relaxed and in a good mood. Be patient; it may take time to build a connection. Encourage them to add the Crisis Text Line to their phone contacts, so that they can text the word “home” to be connected to a trained counselor.
Getting Help
A variety of factors can lead to a teen’s crisis. Societal concerns like gun violence or climate change can cause anxiety and a sense of hopelessness. Financial insecurity from low wages or the cost of college can add stress and worry to the mix. For some teens, these factors can be too much and trigger suicidal thoughts.
Try to talk with your teen about their feelings and listen without judgment. If they don’t want to talk or are having a difficult time opening up, ask them if there is someone they trust to talk with and refer them to a counselor.
Some national nonprofit organizations that focus on youth in crisis also promote and advocate for youth voice, including Youth MOVE National, a youth-led organization with 77 chapters across 39 states, and the Child Mind Institute. Other groups that may be helpful include the National Safe Place Network, which works to ensure an effective system of response, and the Mental Health Association of America.
Recovery
Navigating a teen’s mental health crisis is often a whirlwind of emotions and urgent decisions. But once the immediate danger has subsided, the work of long-term recovery begins.
A variety of factors can trigger a teen’s mental health crisis and lead to dangerous behaviors, including addiction to drugs or alcohol, or online and in-person sexual promiscuity. They may also experience societal concerns like gun violence or financial issues, such as homelessness or poverty.
Economic trends, such as the casualisation of the labour market and insecure employment, can impact mental health. But so can indirect influences, such as family discord or declining moral values.
The many resources available for youth in crisis often fail to include young people’s voices in their development and implementation. This is why BJA’s Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy works with youth-serving programs to strengthen their capacity for youth engagement. We can provide consultation, training, and resources to support your efforts.