Improving Teen Mental Health

Presentation for Teachers & Staff

TODAY’S PRESENTATION

Treatment

Steps to take

Warning signs

Normal teen development

Types of mental health problems

Referral process

Talking to parents

Managing the Classroom

State of the problem

(Insert Name of School)

No help =

PainSufferingFailing

At least 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a mental health disorder

1 in 10 has a serious disorder

90% of people who develop a mental disorder show warning signs during their teen years

HELP = Better academic achievement

Less substance abuse

Improved chances for their future

Everyone Can Make a Difference

Every Adult

SchoolStaff

Parents

Teachers’ Critical Role

Influential

On the Front Lines

Overburdened

NOTICE TALK ACT

Steps Teachers Can Take

Angry or aggressivebehaviors

Poorconcentration

Increasedtardiness or

absences

WithdrawnWithdrawn

Anxious

Typical?

Troubled?

•Complex period of rapid change, transition

•Challenges: fitting in, defining identity, competing demands (school, home)

• Sometimes - other home issues (divorce, violence or substance abuse)

Bottom line: May display alterations of mood, distressing thoughts, anxiety, and impulsive behavior.

TypicalTeens

• Experiencing more than normal developmental challenges

• Without treatment, more likely to have serious problems:

• Academic• Relationships• Employment

Signs ofTrouble

+ environment

What causes mental

health disorders?biology

As you NOTICE signs, ask yourself, are they:

• FREQUENT ?– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple

days/weeks)

• EXTREME ?– (e.g., violent outburst)

If either:

• TALK with student • ACT by communicating what you’ve seen/heard with school

MH staff

Mood disorders

Anxiety disorders

Psychotic disorders

Behavioral/disruptive disorders

Teen Mental Health Disorders

CLINICAL DEPRESSION

•Deep despair, sadness, crying

•1 in 13 teens experience symptoms

BIPOLAR DISORDER

•Extreme changes from happy to sad

•1 in 100 teens have it

•Hard to diagnose, looks like depression

ANXIETY DISORDERS

•Overwhelming fear with no cause

•Frequently runs in families

EATING DISORDERS

•Unrealistic thoughts about weight

•1 in 20 teens suffer; 90% females

•Can result in death

SCHIZOPHRENIA

•Strange thoughts, unusual behaviors

•High functioning, then big decline

•Distrustful, no longer social, voices

ADHD

•Problems paying attention

•Can seriously impact ability to learn

OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER

•Stubborn, argumentative, hostile

•Major distraction in the classroomCONDUCT DISORDER

•Verbal/physical aggression

•End up in juvenile hall

Teen Mental Health

& Substance Abuse

Teen use & abuse of alcohol and drugs can be common. Why?

• Curiosity, feels good, reduce stress, fit in, feel grown up

•Some use drugs/alcohol to compensate for anxiety, depression, lack of positive social skills

Some facts: Teen mental health & substance abuse:• Mental health disorders often co-exist with substance abuse problems

• Repeated & regular recreational use can sometimes lead to anxiety and depression

• Teen risk factors for developing serious alcohol/drug problems: depressed, low self-esteem, feel out of mainstream, family history of substance abuse, lack of positive social skills

Warning Signs of teen drug/alcohol abuse

Emotional:

• Personality change, mood changes• Irritable, negative attitude• Depression • Irresponsible or delinquent behavior• Drop in school performance • Change in groups of friends

Warning Signs (cont’d)

Physical:

• Fatigue• Repeated health complaints • Red/glazed eyes, lasting cough• Changes in eating or sleeping habits

Marked change in school

performance

Inability to cope

Physicalcomplaints

Sexualacting out

Depression

Abuse ofalcohol/drugs

Intense fear of becoming

obese Nightmares

Threat to harm self or others

Self-injury

Frequentoutbursts

Threats torun away

Aggression

Unusualbehavior

Psychiatrists Psychologists

Mental HealthCounselors

Psychiatrists Psychologists

Mental HealthCounselors

School Mental Health Professionals

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT

Therapy, Medication– Sometimes combination works best

No “silver bullet” or quick fix – timeframe depends on:

– Severity of disorder– Temperament of child– Family & school support

MEDICATION • Used to:

– Improve daily functioning– Prevent serious

symptoms– Enable therapy to be

more effective

• Must be used appropriately and only under care of psychiatrist or other physician

Effective Mental Health Treatment

Cognitive Behavior

Therapy (CBT)

Family Therapy

Group Therapy

THERAPY

Effective Treatment for

Mental Health and Substance Use

• Adolescent psychiatrist consultation to help with assessing for co-existing mental health diagnoses and treatment decisions

• Types of treatment might include inpatient, outpatient programs, support groups, twelve-step programs

TEACHER talks to student

TEACHER identifies a cause for concern in a student

TEACHER notifies SCHOOL COUNSELOR assigned to

student (or CASE MANAGER for

special ed students)

PROCESS IN A

SCHOOL

STUDENT and SCHOOL COUNSELOR meet

SCHOOL COUNSELOR handles problem OR

SCHOOL COUNSELOR provides information on

outside resources

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER or PSYCHOLOGIST or other is

engaged if needed

If problem is identified as a behavior/conduct problem, student is sent

to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

PSYCHOLOGIST PSYCHIATRISTSOCIAL

WORKERMH

COUNSELOR

External Referral Process

Managing Disorders in the Classroom

Follow good classroom management principles

Communicate with others

Take care of yourself

Talking with Parents

Start early

Stick together

Be positive and have perspective

Observablebehaviors

NOTICE TALK ACT

Changing a Life’s Course

More Resources for You

• www.healthyminds.org – (American Psychiatric Association)

• Other Resources– www.aacap.org (American Academy of

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)