A youth in crisis may be experiencing intense emotions, such as fear or hopelessness. They may also engage in harmful behaviors or have destructive thoughts.
There are several factors that can lead to a crisis in teenagers, including lack of self-care and unhealthy coping skills, mental health disorders, substance abuse and living conditions and social stigma.
Identifying a Youth in Crisis
Whether they’re suffering from depression, feeling isolated or anxious, or having suicidal thoughts and behaviors, it’s important to know how to identify a youth in crisis. A few key symptoms to watch out for include extreme emotional changes, agitation, aggression or hostility, or withdrawal from friends and family.
It’s also important to be aware of possible substance abuse or other types of addiction. Signs of these include changing personality and mood, drug usage or substance abuse, carelessness with grooming, and deteriorating relationships with family members.
If a youth in crisis talks about how they would hurt themselves, has access to means like pills or weapons, or has had a previous suicide attempt, this is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Call 911 or a crisis line immediately and stay with them until help arrives. They should also be removed from any dangerous situations. Then, seek professional treatment for them. This can be through therapy or medication, depending on the situation.
Getting Help for a Youth in Crisis
Often children and teens in crisis need help from a mental health professional. But sometimes they can also need police assistance restraining them or transporting them to a hospital or even tracking down a runaway child.
Many factors can trigger a mental health crisis in a youth including a breakup or death of a loved one, natural disaster, abuse (physical, sexual or emotional), bullying, school failure or failing grades, neglect, and witnessing violence. Adverse childhood experiences can increase the risk of poor mental health outcomes including depression and suicidal thoughts/behaviors as well as contribute to substance abuse issues.
To address this, several organizations are working to improve access to home and community based services for adolescents and teens in crisis. One example is the Blue Cross NC Listening Tour. Its goal is to ensure that all youth have access to in-network behavioral health care and a variety of community supports. This includes school based programs and mobile crisis teams as well as psychiatric emergency services.
Supporting a Youth in Crisis
The challenges faced by young people in crisis are often complicated and may not be apparent to those interacting with them. Youth services rarely involve just one organization, and coordination between behavioral health providers, schools, child welfare, juvenile justice and primary care medical professionals is common.
It is critical to engage youth in a safe space where they feel supported and understood without judgment. This can be achieved by utilizing de-escalation techniques, establishing trust and rapport, and addressing specific needs such as family therapy or step-down care.
In addition, youth should be offered access to support outside of crisis services that can help them cope and manage the problems they are facing, such as coping with stress and anxiety, finding employment or training opportunities, and developing healthy relationships within their families. These supports can also address underlying issues such as communication struggles, unhealthy coping skills and family dynamics. They can help set youth up for long-term recovery and success.
Getting Help for a Teen in Crisis
Whether they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, or simply feeling depressed and sad, teenagers who are in crisis need help. They may benefit from individual or family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or other therapeutic approaches.
Depending on the cause of their distress, a mental health professional will assess their symptoms and provide an appropriate treatment recommendation. If they are a danger to themselves or others, an assessment center may be needed to ensure their safety.
For teenagers who require a more structured environment than an outpatient program but do not need to be kept under observation 24 hours a day, a residential treatment center can offer the right level of care. These facilities offer increased therapy sessions, academic support, and supervision that can be highly beneficial for those in a mental health crisis. They can also provide a safe and comfortable setting for adolescents who are unable to safely stay at home in the evenings.