Youth in crisis are facing a wide range of challenges, including feelings of hopelessness and despair, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Policies that reduce childhood poverty, address family homelessness and increase access to health care are among the most impactful strategies.
Look for changes in your child’s usual habits like eating, sleeping and playing, and pay attention to their moods.
1. Identifying the Crisis
Young people are struggling. Even before COVID-19, studies have shown that many youth are experiencing poor mental health, including depression and suicide.
During and after a crisis event, it’s important to keep in mind that children and teens can feel very vulnerable and alone. Whether due to the extreme social and academic disruptions from Covid-19 or more recent events, including mass shootings, natural disasters, climate change, political polarization and social media, many kids are suffering from stress.
Watch for any changes in the way your youth behaves—both good and bad. Help them vet the information they see and hear so that they don’t get caught up in misinformation or rumors that can lead to fear or despair. Be sensitive to their fears and offer reassurance that they are safe and loved. Then, be a role model by showing them how to care for themselves and seek support when needed. This includes balancing sleep and healthy eating, practicing emotional regulation, and limiting access to dangerous activities like drugs and self-harm.
2. Helping the Youth
In addition to providing the necessary resources, communities can help young people feel safe and secure. This includes helping youth build healthy relationships, ensuring they have safe places to be physically and emotionally, and protecting them from harmful online content.
Increasing access to adolescent mental health services can help them manage the stress of life’s challenges. Clinical preventive screenings for adolescents can identify mental health concerns, such as depression, substance use, and suicide risk, and many insurance plans cover these services without a copay.
Communities can also support the mental health of youth involved with child welfare systems. This can include implementing family-centered mental health services to prevent unnecessary entry into the system and increase reunification; expanding peer support services; and supporting youth to find in-network behavioral health care after new placements or emancipation from foster care. To improve coordination between child welfare and mental health systems, the National Resource Center for Youth Involvement in Suicide Prevention has developed guidelines.
3. Helping the Family
Adolescents in crisis often experience 2 crises: one with the youth themselves, and another with their family members or caregivers. Conflicted relationships, unhealthy coping mechanisms and lack of communication and structure can lead to problems like substance abuse and domestic violence, which can have lasting effects on teenagers’ mental health and well-being.
Biological factors, such as hormone changes during adolescence and social stigma (which can be particularly challenging for teens from marginalized groups), can also contribute to teen mental health challenges. Other factors can include neglecting personal care, poor diet and physical fitness, or a lack of sleep.
The key to helping a teen in crisis is to find the right treatment plan for them. This should involve a mental health professional working with the youth and their family. The treatment plan should address all aspects of the crisis, and it should be in alignment with all community-wide support systems. This is important for both safety and continuity of care.
4. Helping the Community
Youth and young adults who enter the criminal justice system often have unique and complex needs, including reengagement with educational providers, job readiness training, and supportive behavioral health care. Reentry and crisis systems can improve outcomes by collaborating on a trauma-informed approach, expanding school-based mental health services, and creating family-centered and collaborative relationships.
Moreover, funding and other resources can be used to expand evidence-based interventions that improve mental health. Communities should also create sustained investments in equitable prevention, promotion, and early intervention. Identifying and elevating youth voices is vital to understanding their needs and creating effective solutions.
Community members can help support youth in crisis by volunteering or making a financial donation. Gently used clothing, books, and other items are often in high demand. Host a clothing drive in your community or donate to local organizations that serve children and young adults. Donations can also be used to pay for crisis respite programs for families.