Youth in crisis are often at risk for a variety of reasons. These can include a lack of healthy coping skills, poor health habits, drug or alcohol use, or mental health disorders.
When a teenager is in crisis they can be at risk of being hurting themselves or others, or running away. These situations can require a police response which may involve restraining them or finding them.
Addictions
High-risk drug use increases the chances that teens will engage in risky sexual behaviors such as not using condoms or having multiple partners, which can lead to HIV, hepatitis, and unintended pregnancy. Youth with mental health problems are also at greater risk for substance abuse.
Many adolescents begin to use drugs out of curiosity or for peer pressure. Over time, this can become a habit and may progress to addiction. Genetics and environmental factors seem to play a role in whether or when someone becomes addicted.
Warning signs of drug abuse include mood swings, neglecting responsibilities, secrecy, and a loss of interest in hobbies or activities. Teens who are addicted may also show a lack of respect for their bodies and have poor eating habits. Addictions can cause problems with family, friends, and work. Medications can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Addiction treatment includes counseling (individual and group) and relapse prevention services.
Mental Health Issues
Adolescents can experience a wide range of mental health issues. These include anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and behavioral issues like self-harm or suicide. These conditions can also lead to substance abuse and school dropout.
These conditions can impact teens of any background or socioeconomic status, but certain youth groups are at greater risk. These include those living in humanitarian or fragile settings; adolescents with chronic illness, autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability; pregnant adolescents or those involved in early or forced marriages; orphaned youths and other marginalized groups.
While a full explanation for the rise in mental distress among teens may take more time and research, some theories have emerged. One is that a culture of helicopter parenting — in which parents seek to control every aspect of their children’s lives – contributes to the problem. Others point to inequitable access to care or cultural factors that promote stigma and discrimination.
Family Issues
Nearly everyone has to deal with family issues at some point, but when a youngster’s mental health issue becomes a crisis, it can put additional stress on the entire family. Parents can feel helpless, and siblings may start to blame their sibling for the problem, leading to arguments or even a breakdown in communication.
When a teen’s problems cause parents to spend too much time on the problem, it can affect their work performance, which can lead to job loss or missed opportunities for advancement. It can also affect a family’s finances, since effective evaluations and medications can be expensive.
Families that do not have apparent sources of support are at a higher risk of being thrust into a crisis. These families may not be able to afford basic needs, such as food, shelter and protection. In addition, studies have found that social isolation can lead to a lack of informal and formal resources. Family functioning has been shown to moderate the association between stressors and negative outcomes, such as drug abuse.
Social Issues
There’s no shortage of theories for why depression and anxiety among teens are rising. But many of them shed more light on their proponents’ hobbyhorses than adolescents’ mental health struggles.
The most popular account casts social media as the archvillain. It seems intuitive, and some research supports the idea that social media is sapping teens’ happiness at a time when it’s normal to test boundaries and explore identity.
Other social factors are also at play. Unpredictability in schools caused by the pandemic has eroded kids’ sense of stability, while systemic racism, gun violence, and climate change can make it hard for them to see a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Finally, financial insecurity is common for families that struggle to meet basic needs. And that can make it harder for parents to spend time with their kids. The result is a perfect storm of stressors that can lead to mental-health problems in children and teens.