Transcript Teen Mental Health “Program name”

Improving Teen Mental Health
Presentation for
Newark High School
Teachers & Staff
TODAY’S PRESENTATION
State of the problem
Treatment
Steps to take
Warning signs
Normal teen development
Types of mental health problems
Referral process
Talking to parents
Managing the Classroom
Newark High School
No help =
Pain
Suffering
Failing
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
School
Staff
Parents
Teachers’
Critical Role
On the Front Lines
Influential
Overburdened
Steps Teachers Can Take
NOTICE
TALK
ACT
Angry or
aggressive
behaviors
Poor
concentration
Increased
tardiness or
absences
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
Anxious
Typical?
Troubled?
•Complex period of rapid
change, transition
•Challenges: fitting in,
defining identity, competing
demands (school, home)
Typical
Teens
• Sometimes - other home
issues (divorce, violence or
substance abuse)
Bottom line: May
display alterations of
mood, distressing
thoughts, anxiety,
and impulsive behavior.
• Experiencing more than
normal developmental
challenges, inability to
form healthy
relationships
• Without treatment,
more likely to have
serious problems:
• Academic
• Relationships
• Employment
Troubled
Teens
What causes mental
health disorders?
biology + environment
As you NOTICE signs, ask yourself, are they:
• FREQUENT ?
– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple days/weeks)
• EXTREME ?
– (e.g., violent outburst, aggressive behavior)
If either:
• TALK with student
• ACT by communicating what you’ve seen/heard with school MH
staff
Teen Mental Health Disorders
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
Behavioral/disruptive
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
•Risk is greater with family history
EATING DISORDERS
•Unrealistic thoughts about weight
•1 in 20 teens suffer; 90% females
•Untreated it can result in
hospitalization or 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 classroom
CONDUCT DISORDER
•Verbal/physical aggression
•Junior sociopaths
•End up in detention centers
Depression
Abuse of
alcohol/
drugs
Intense fear
of becoming
Frequent
obese
outbursts
Marked change
in school
performance
Unusual
behavior
Physical
complaints
Self-injury/
Cutting
Threats to
run away
Aggression
Nightmares
Threat to
harm self
or others
Sexual
acting out
Inability to
cope
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Mental Health
Counselors
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Mental Health
Counselors
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
THERAPY
Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT)
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
PROCESS
AT
NEWARK
HIGH
SCHOOL
TEACHER identifies a cause for
concern in a student
School Psychologist,
School Social Worker
or Interventionist
TEACHER talks
to student or parent
Teachers notify
Wellness Center Staff
Wellness Center handles
problem or
If problem is identified
as a behavior/conduct
problem, student is sent
to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL or
ADVISOR.
Wellness Center makes
referral to Community
Resources
PSYCHOLOGIST
PSYCHIATRIST
CLINICAL
SOCIAL
SOCIAL
WORKER
WORKER
SOCIAL SERVICES
External Referral
Process
When help is needed
beyond our school...
Managing Disorders in the
Classroom
Follow good classroom
management principles
Communicate with others
Take care of yourself
Talking with Parents
Observable
behaviors
Start early
Be positive and
have perspective
Stick together
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)