Although mood swings are a normal part of adolescence, sudden and drastic changes in behavior should be taken seriously. Aggressive or violent behaviors may indicate that the teen is in intense emotional distress. Isolation is another warning sign: avoiding friends, family, and activities they used to enjoy can signal that something is amiss.
1. Seek help as soon as possible.
Unlike adults, youth often live with their families, and they face unique circumstances that require special attention. These factors can include sociopolitical concerns such as gun violence, climate change and poverty; financial insecurity and housing crisis; communication struggles within the family; and mental health needs such as depression or anxiety.
Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring that youth in crisis receive the help they need. For example, new resources like hotlines and mobile response teams can quickly connect youth and their households to trauma-informed specialists. These services have already begun to divert youth from unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, thereby saving lives and reducing costs. Moreover, they provide support for young people who are in distress while encouraging communities to foster a proactive culture of youth well-being.
2. Involve the teen in decision-making.
Teaching teens decision-making skills is key. As teens enter adolescence, they face more complex decisions, from academic choices and relationships to social activities and future career paths. They are also wired to seek greater rewards, and their emotional centers and decision-making skills are still developing.
Taking the time to talk openly about real-life scenarios and use problem-solving models can help develop their skills. Parents, teachers and mentors can guide them through weighing the risks and benefits of different outcomes, learning from mistakes, and building self-confidence to make their own decisions.
Unfortunately, my scan of online resources related to youth in crisis does not show much concern with fostering youth voice. This is likely due to the fact that children and youth do not live alone — they have families.
3. Offer coping strategies or relaxation techniques.
A teen experiencing a crisis may feel overwhelmed and need to find ways to cope. It’s important to offer coping and relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or meditation. These techniques help the teen to feel safe and secure. It’s also helpful to encourage them to exercise regularly and practice healthy sleep habits.
It’s a good idea to model these behaviors yourself, so the teen sees you practicing them. It can be a very powerful signal that you care about them and their well-being.
It’s also a good idea to provide access to mental health services, which can help the teen explore their feelings and develop healthier coping mechanisms. For example, a therapist can work with a teen to address underlying issues that contribute to substance use and anxiety.
4. Be available and present.
While it’s important to encourage youth to talk about their feelings related to these events, adults should also make sure they are available and present. Children pick up on our emotions, and if we are nervous or anxious they can become fearful of being alone or losing their family members or teachers.
Several online resource databases exist, including a registry of evidence-based positive youth development programs. However, these resources do not seem to address incorporating the voices of youth into all levels of funding and evaluation.
Increased timely data collection and research is needed to identify trends in youth mental health needs. Additionally, we need to provide more home-based and community-based services for youth in crisis and ensure that mobile crisis teams are available to meet the increasing demand.
5. Foster a non-judgmental approach.
For youth, prioritizing inner and outer stability is critical to their recovery. This requires a trauma-informed approach to crisis services that prioritize empathy and flexibility.
Encourage teens to develop a supportive network of friends and family connections, as well as professional mental health resources. Help them learn how to identify warning signs of mental health crises in themselves and others. Encourage them to call 988 or text HOME to connect with a crisis counselor.
In many cases, a youth’s crisis is the result of underlying issues that can be addressed through appropriate referrals and interventions. These can include communication struggles within the family, unhealthy coping skills, and lack of structure or organization in their lives. By empathizing with teens and validating their feelings, you can build a trusting connection that fosters resilience.