The Teen Mental Health Crisis

Adolescent depression and anxiety have reached crisis levels, so much so that the Surgeon General issued a public advisory. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association have declared a national emergency in children’s mental health.

Nationally, calls regarding suicidal thoughts have quadrupled. At the same time, nearly 45% of high school students report being persistently sad or hopeless and unable to engage in regular activities. Sadly, suicides among 10 – 19-year-olds have increased dramatically as well. 

These statistics and reports are understandably frightening for parents. But it’s important to remember that help is available, and many resources can assist you through these challenging times. Talk to your child’s school, doctor, priest, or pastor about mental health services that might provide some guidance and support. You are not alone! 

Recognizing Destructive Teen Behaviors

If your child has been diagnosed with mental health issues for a while and is engaging in destructive behaviors like:

 

• Hanging out with the wrong friends. 

• Using drugs, abusing alcohol, and partying. 

• Disappearing for hours at a time, and you are worried sick. 

• Riddled with anxiety and becoming more aggressive, rebellious, demanding, or angry.

• Sinking into a deep depression and harming themselves or threatening to do so. 

• Isolating, becoming unreasonable, or refusing to partake in family activities.

• Agitation, violent or disruptive behavior

 

These behaviors mentioned above are more than warning signs of a child being at risk. They point to severe mental health issues, so if your child is exhibiting any of these behaviors, you need to seek help for them immediately. Residential treatment center (RTC) programs can be one way to offer teens intensive therapy and support. RTCs provide a structured environment where they can begin their recovery. 

It’s normal to be worried if you’re seeing signs of trouble with your teen. But don’t wait until after the holidays to take action – you can make immediate changes to help your child now. Getting help sooner rather than later could tremendously impact your child’s well-being and prevent things from escalating. 

Conclusion and What’s Next

It can be challenging for a parent to accept that a residential program might be necessary for their teen. But remember, early intervention is essential for giving them the best possible outcome in their journey to better mental health. So don’t hesitate – Seek professional help today!