There are many things that can put a teen in a crisis, such as school stress, depression, and substance abuse. It is important to watch out for signs of a crisis and get help as soon as possible.
A crisis is often diagnosed by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or therapist. They will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if your teenager is in a crisis and what type of treatment will be effective.
Disenchanted Youth
Disenchanted youth are those who feel disconnected from society and are unable to see a solution. They often suffer from mental health issues and are at a higher risk for suicide.
Many disenchanted youth are in China, where the country’s zero-COVID policies and crackdown on private companies in a bid for “common prosperity” have exacerbated youth unemployment and disillusionment. In recent years, a social movement called Tang Ping Zhu Yi, or “lying flat,” has become a popular way to express disillusionment.
This movement is fueled by a belief that life is a zero-sum game and that achieving success requires working harder than anyone else. This mindset clashes with the societal values cultivated by the country’s leaders, who aspire for the nation to be a dynamic and forward-looking society.
Despite their eagerness, creativity and passion for politics, youths often experience difficulties in their political engagement. They may find themselves missing out on opportunities for parliamentary representation and are therefore not empowered to participate in political decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Self-harm
People often self-harm for a variety of reasons. They may be trying to express how they feel, or they may be coping with feelings of stress or emotional pain.
If you think someone is self-harming, they should see their GP or community mental health team. They should then refer them to a specialist service for people who self-harm a lot.
They might need to get talking therapy for 3 – 12 sessions to help them change their ways of coping. The aim is to find different ways of expressing emotions so that they don’t need to self-harm.
They can also text Shout on 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer who will listen to them and help them work through their feelings. This is a national textline service.
Suicide
Throughout their lives, youth face many challenges. They may be facing divorce or the dissolution of a relationship; changes in family structures and friendships; disruptions in social networks, schooling, and employment; a sense of insecurity; depression or anxiety; and other mental health conditions.
Suicide is a major public health problem. It is the second leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults worldwide (unintentional motor vehicle accidents are first).
Adolescence is a challenging time for children and teens, but it is also an important period to build strong relationships and develop positive emotional and behavioral health skills. This is especially true for adolescents who are at risk of suicide or have attempted it.
Teenagers may be at increased risk for suicide if they are in a relationship crisis or if they have a serious physical illness. Often, they are in a state of hopelessness and despair and feel like they have no other option than to kill themselves.
Addiction
Teens often turn to drugs to numb pain, anger or emotional distress. They may be dealing with a mental health disorder such as depression, ADHD or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A substance use disorder is an uncontrolled, intense focus on using one or more substances that can cause problems in a person’s life. The condition can lead to addiction.
Over time, addiction causes the brain to change in three ways: craving for the object of the addiction; loss of control over its use; and continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences.
Addiction is a serious and treatable illness that can impact people’s lives in many different ways. It can affect a person’s mental health, physical health and relationship with others.