TEENS AND MENTAL HEALTH
...stress...anxiety...depression...
ANXIETY AND ADOLESCENTS
Anxiety can kick in at any age. While anxiety often is a normal response to challenging circumstances, chronic anxiety is a problem, especially among adolescents. Check out this excellent blog entry from the Huffington Post on "9 Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try." A lot of the tips are sound for anxiety at ANY age. Take a deep breath...
Also, TIME Magazine's recent cover story on Teen Depression & Anxiety is well worth a read, especially Fadi Haddad's advice on five things to do if parents are worried.
Everyday Health offers "Five Signs of Common Mental Health Conditions." Also, LearnPsychology just put out a terrific guide on "Suicide and Depression Awareness for Students" that offers a wealth of information and resources. ChildMind.org lays out "How to Help Your Depressed Teenager."
GETTING HELP
It can be very challenging to navigate the health care system to get support and/or treatment for those with mental health needs. Check out this page of tips and local resources.
Parents of 7-14 year olds in the Boston area who are suffering from depression may be interested in participating in this free study through COPE at MGH that offers coping skills and therapy.
And check out this VERY valuable article with resources about helping someone you love with depression...
Anxiety can kick in at any age. While anxiety often is a normal response to challenging circumstances, chronic anxiety is a problem, especially among adolescents. Check out this excellent blog entry from the Huffington Post on "9 Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try." A lot of the tips are sound for anxiety at ANY age. Take a deep breath...
Also, TIME Magazine's recent cover story on Teen Depression & Anxiety is well worth a read, especially Fadi Haddad's advice on five things to do if parents are worried.
Everyday Health offers "Five Signs of Common Mental Health Conditions." Also, LearnPsychology just put out a terrific guide on "Suicide and Depression Awareness for Students" that offers a wealth of information and resources. ChildMind.org lays out "How to Help Your Depressed Teenager."
GETTING HELP
It can be very challenging to navigate the health care system to get support and/or treatment for those with mental health needs. Check out this page of tips and local resources.
Parents of 7-14 year olds in the Boston area who are suffering from depression may be interested in participating in this free study through COPE at MGH that offers coping skills and therapy.
And check out this VERY valuable article with resources about helping someone you love with depression...
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This excellent blog post from the NY Times offers guidance for parents whose children are concerned about a friend in need --
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/supporting-a-teen-with-a-friend-in-need/?login=email&_r=0 |
"YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH: THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA
According to the latest statistics from Brookline’s Student Health Survey, depression and anxiety among BHS teens have never been higher. Alcohol and marijuana are playing a big part in the ways teens are trying to cope, and current attitudes and perceptions are contributing to the problem. Brookline’s recent Wellness Summit illuminated some of the survey’s most pertinent statistics, and a speaker from “Minding Your Mind” shared his personal story. Brainstorming sessions with student Peer Leaders, parents, teachers, PSBMA staff, community leaders and youth serving experts strategized what role we as a community can play in shifting the current culture. Read the Parent Update here
According to the latest statistics from Brookline’s Student Health Survey, depression and anxiety among BHS teens have never been higher. Alcohol and marijuana are playing a big part in the ways teens are trying to cope, and current attitudes and perceptions are contributing to the problem. Brookline’s recent Wellness Summit illuminated some of the survey’s most pertinent statistics, and a speaker from “Minding Your Mind” shared his personal story. Brainstorming sessions with student Peer Leaders, parents, teachers, PSBMA staff, community leaders and youth serving experts strategized what role we as a community can play in shifting the current culture. Read the Parent Update here
PARENT NETWORK UPDATE ON ADOLESCENT SELF-HARM
In Brookline, guidance counselors are seeing an increase in adolescent self-harm like cutting at younger and younger ages. Though you may not be aware of children who self-harm, odds are good that your kids know peers who are dealing with emotional pain this way. McLean Hospital clinician Dr. Michael Hollander’s compelling and informative presentation “Adolescent Self-Harm: From Risk to Resilience” at the Devotion School offered parents an opportunity to learn more about non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) so that they can have open, honest conversations with their children, be on the look out for warning signs, and support adolescents who may be engaging in self-harm. Click here to read B-PEN’s special Parent Network Update collating Dr. Hollander’s information. In addition, a former BHS student created an excellent new website collating information and resources on teen self-harm, called Self-Harm Support for All.
In Brookline, guidance counselors are seeing an increase in adolescent self-harm like cutting at younger and younger ages. Though you may not be aware of children who self-harm, odds are good that your kids know peers who are dealing with emotional pain this way. McLean Hospital clinician Dr. Michael Hollander’s compelling and informative presentation “Adolescent Self-Harm: From Risk to Resilience” at the Devotion School offered parents an opportunity to learn more about non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) so that they can have open, honest conversations with their children, be on the look out for warning signs, and support adolescents who may be engaging in self-harm. Click here to read B-PEN’s special Parent Network Update collating Dr. Hollander’s information. In addition, a former BHS student created an excellent new website collating information and resources on teen self-harm, called Self-Harm Support for All.
STRESS OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR
By junior and senior year of high school, college application stress can start to take a real toll on students, who repeatedly confess they are overwhelmed by all they have to do in addition to the regular academic workload – college essays, visits, test prep, etc. The B-PEN Parent Update" on "Managing the Stress of Junior Year" offers valuable information and resources, and BHS Peer Leaders contributed to a list of tips to parents on supporting your teen through this challenging period. Also, check out the "Dean's List of E-Resources at BHS." |
WHEN TEENS TALK OF SUICIDE...
Adolescents, especially high schoolers, talk about suicide with surprising frequency. How should a parent respond? Gene Beresin, MD and Steve Schlozman, MD the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds contributed an excellent article to WBUR's Common Health that offers parents some very valuable facts and tips -- "When Teens Talk of Suicide: What You Need to Know." The HopeLine also offers solid advice on "What to do if You Are Feeling Suicidal." Alcohol.net addresses how alcohol can affect suicidal thoughts. |
PARENTS URGE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AS A PRIORITY
Did you know that according to DrugFree.org, less than half of teens with mental health disorders get needed help? Brookline's Wellness Committee summit, “Youth & Mental Health: Balancing the Wellness Wheel,” helped generate strategies to foster a "whole child” approach to youth mental health and overall wellbeing. Parent members of the committee met further, coming up with three key recommendations, reflected in this letter to the Brookline TAB.
Did you know that according to DrugFree.org, less than half of teens with mental health disorders get needed help? Brookline's Wellness Committee summit, “Youth & Mental Health: Balancing the Wellness Wheel,” helped generate strategies to foster a "whole child” approach to youth mental health and overall wellbeing. Parent members of the committee met further, coming up with three key recommendations, reflected in this letter to the Brookline TAB.
KEEP A HANDLE ON TEST STRESS
Any time teens face a big test or series of tests, like mid-terms, the stress level at home may start to rise dramatically as students start to deal with the pressure and expectations. What can parents do to help? How can we be supportive without inadvertently adding to the pressure and anxiety? Read B-PEN’s Parent Network Update on Teens and Managing Exam Stress, which features one-page printable Tip Sheets as well as a list of reputable resources to help your teen (and you!) keep a cool head and a focused mind.
ALSO CONSIDER:
BHS's three excellent tutorial guides --
Strategies for Taking Multiple Choice Exams
Guide to Essay Questions
Guide to Preparing for Mid-Terms
Families for Depression Awareness "Teen Depression Fact Sheet"
B-PEN's Tips for Supportive Parent
BHS Library Staff Recommended Reading on Teen Stress, Anxiety and Depression
ALSO -- Check out B-PEN’s special newsletter on Teen Stress
Any time teens face a big test or series of tests, like mid-terms, the stress level at home may start to rise dramatically as students start to deal with the pressure and expectations. What can parents do to help? How can we be supportive without inadvertently adding to the pressure and anxiety? Read B-PEN’s Parent Network Update on Teens and Managing Exam Stress, which features one-page printable Tip Sheets as well as a list of reputable resources to help your teen (and you!) keep a cool head and a focused mind.
ALSO CONSIDER:
BHS's three excellent tutorial guides --
Strategies for Taking Multiple Choice Exams
Guide to Essay Questions
Guide to Preparing for Mid-Terms
Families for Depression Awareness "Teen Depression Fact Sheet"
B-PEN's Tips for Supportive Parent
BHS Library Staff Recommended Reading on Teen Stress, Anxiety and Depression
ALSO -- Check out B-PEN’s special newsletter on Teen Stress
ADOLESCENT ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION - WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW
Children’s Hospital “Break Free From Depression” event included a powerful and illuminating film featuring real adolescents talking about depression in their own words. The Q&A featured a panel of mental health experts including Brookline Mental Health Center and BHS staff, as well as a teen from the film and her mother sharing their stories. Click here for the Parent Update newsletter on the event. Until then you can download the handout given to participants. Click here to view and print the event's tip sheet on Adolescent Anxiety and Depression.
Also, the stress and workload of school can sometimes trigger mental health concerns in young people. Check out Online College's "Critical Mental Health Resources for College Students," which provides an introduction to some of the major common mental health issues students might face as early as middle school along with links to resources in each state. Another great resource is NAMI's COLLEGE AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
Also, the stress and workload of school can sometimes trigger mental health concerns in young people. Check out Online College's "Critical Mental Health Resources for College Students," which provides an introduction to some of the major common mental health issues students might face as early as middle school along with links to resources in each state. Another great resource is NAMI's COLLEGE AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
Check out this powerfully insightful and impassioned plea for regarding mental illness without stigma...
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Adolescence is full of big emotions and roller-coaster mood swings, which can make it difficult to see the early warning signs of burgeoning mental health conditions. However, when a young person begins to hear angry voices that aren’t there or to strongly believe strange things, it could be the first signs of some kind of psychosis, and you should seek help. The National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI) is an excellent resource for information. Click here to read valuable information about schizophrenia, one of the more serious mental illnesses.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Adolescence is full of big emotions and roller-coaster mood swings, which can make it difficult to see the early warning signs of burgeoning mental health conditions. However, when a young person begins to hear angry voices that aren’t there or to strongly believe strange things, it could be the first signs of some kind of psychosis, and you should seek help. The National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI) is an excellent resource for information. Click here to read valuable information about schizophrenia, one of the more serious mental illnesses.
ARE OUR KIDS CAUGHT IN A RACE TO NOWHERE?
The documentary “Race to Nowhere,” which was shown recently at BHS and was followed by an animated question and answer period, brought to light how over-scheduled and over-stressed today’s teens are. They are caught in a “race to nowhere,” driven by a system set up for academic competition and often fueled by demanding parents who, in wanting the best for their children, turn them into little professionals starting in middle school. Experts in the film talked about stress as one of the most common forces for negative behavior, while many of the model students are “bleeding underneath” – anxious, exhausted, depressed. Read the full report as well as the Parent Action Plan that can help counteract this troubling issue.
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The documentary “Race to Nowhere,” which was shown recently at BHS and was followed by an animated question and answer period, brought to light how over-scheduled and over-stressed today’s teens are. They are caught in a “race to nowhere,” driven by a system set up for academic competition and often fueled by demanding parents who, in wanting the best for their children, turn them into little professionals starting in middle school. Experts in the film talked about stress as one of the most common forces for negative behavior, while many of the model students are “bleeding underneath” – anxious, exhausted, depressed. Read the full report as well as the Parent Action Plan that can help counteract this troubling issue.
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Local institutions addressing mental health issues
Brookline Community Mental Health Center
The MADI Resource Center at Massachusetts General Hospital
Families for Depression Awareness (resources, webinars, & free care consultation for low-income families)
Web sites and resources addressing teen depression, stress and mental health
http://ppal.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Child-Teens-and-Young-Adult-Resources.pdf
NAMI Massachusetts COMPASS Navigator
Parenting,com
PsychCentral.com
Legal Guide for Parents of Youth with Mental Health Issues
http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-anxiety-expert.html?emc=eta2
www.kidshealth.org
www.TeenHelp.com
http://www.familyaware.org/
http://www2.massgeneral.org/madiresourcecenter/
www.parentingstrategies.nethttp://www.onlinecolleges.net/for-students/mental-health-resources/
www.NAMI.org
http://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/teen-issues.htm
www.jedfoundation.org
Brookline Community Mental Health Center
The MADI Resource Center at Massachusetts General Hospital
Families for Depression Awareness (resources, webinars, & free care consultation for low-income families)
Web sites and resources addressing teen depression, stress and mental health
http://ppal.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Child-Teens-and-Young-Adult-Resources.pdf
NAMI Massachusetts COMPASS Navigator
Parenting,com
PsychCentral.com
Legal Guide for Parents of Youth with Mental Health Issues
http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-anxiety-expert.html?emc=eta2
www.kidshealth.org
www.TeenHelp.com
http://www.familyaware.org/
http://www2.massgeneral.org/madiresourcecenter/
www.parentingstrategies.nethttp://www.onlinecolleges.net/for-students/mental-health-resources/
www.NAMI.org
http://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/teen-issues.htm
www.jedfoundation.org