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• FREQUENT ?– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple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