Mental Health is Hurting Our Youth

Children with mental health diagnosis are a dynamically growing demographic.  With the introduction of ADD/ADHD and the growing studies into autism and other diagnoses at the end of last century, we are seeing an alarming rate of young people with mental health problems.  With the recent school shooting tragedies the country has seen, it has raised the question of the stability of mental health in our youth in United States.  Do these young people get the opportunity to the proper tools and access to the proper care for these diagnoses? Also with growing awareness of bullying in schools and the growth of depression and suicide among teens are there avenues for these children to talk about their problems.  These children become adults over time and they are expected to transition into the adult world.  Next Avenue (a digital platform launched by PBS) did a study that showed that 75 percent of mental health issues show up by age 24.  Which is spot on with studies that have shown that the human brain does not fully develop until the age of 25.  As aware citizens, what can we do to help our younger generations?  I think being able to understand the severity of the situation, do your best to seek help for the young person and follow up to show that you care are all valuable approaches to start with. 

                Many times people take the approach it is not my problem or shrug it off that it is not that serious.  If you are dealing with a young person and notice, they are having problems in many different settings that should be alarming to yourself and others around.  If a young person starts to make drastic changes to habits, begins to withdrawal socially, and regressing behaviorally, these are all signs that something is not right and they might need some extra support.  In addition, if significant events occur in a young person’s life (Such as Divorce, Death to Family or Friends, Illness to Parent or close Family, Financially change at home) you can see a young person begin to spiral.

After you have determined that there is a problem, the next step is providing them with information to get help.  Most areas have local agencies that deal with youth with a wide variety of mental health issues. Finding a good therapist is always a good approach because youth many times just want to be heard. In addition, there are big brother or even just mentorship programs that give young people a person to come to and rely on when things are tough.  Some medical offices also work very closely with families to get a closer look at the young person and may prescribe medication to aid the youth.  The most important thing is to ask and research what is available in your community or neighboring communities.

Lastly just checking up on these young people and being a constant in their life is the most important.  As humans, we want to feel cared about and consistency from those around us.  A simple phone call could save a child’s life.