Improving Teen Mental Health

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Improving Teen Mental Health

• Presentation for
  Newark High School
• Teachers Staff

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TODAYS 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
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Newark High School
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No help Pain Suffering Failing
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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
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HELP Better academic achievement Less
substance abuse Improved chances for their
future
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Everyone Can Make a Difference
SchoolStaff
Parents
Every Adult
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Teachers Critical Role
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On the Front Lines
Influential
Overburdened
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Steps Teachers Can Take
ACT
NOTICE
TALK
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Angry or aggressivebehaviors
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Poorconcentration
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Increasedtardiness or absences
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Withdrawn
Withdrawn
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Anxious
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Troubled?
Typical?
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• 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
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• Experiencing more than normal developmental
  challenges, inability to form healthy
  relationships
• Without treatment, more likely to have serious
  problems
• Academic
• Relationships
• Employment

TroubledTeens
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What causes mentalhealth disorders?
environment
biology
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• 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 youve seen/heard with
  school MH staff

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Teen Mental Health Disorders
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
Behavioral/disruptive disorders
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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
• Stubborn, argumentative, hostile
• Major distraction in the classroom

• CONDUCT DISORDER
• Verbal/physical aggression
• Junior sociopaths
• End up in detention centers

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Physicalcomplaints
Abuse ofalcohol/drugs
Depression
Self-injury/ Cutting
Threats torun away
Aggression
Intense fear of becomingobese
Frequentoutbursts
Nightmares
Inability to cope
Marked change in school performance
Threat to harm self or others
Sexualacting out
Unusualbehavior
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Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Mental Health Counselors
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Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Mental Health Counselors
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School Mental Health Professionals
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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

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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

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Effective Mental Health Treatment
THERAPY
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
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PROCESS AT NEWARK HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHER identifies a cause for concern in a
student
TEACHER talks to student or parent
Teachers notify Wellness
Center Staff
If problem is identified as a behavior/conduct
problem, student is sent to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
or ADVISOR.
School Psychologist, School Social Worker or
Interventionist
Wellness Center handles problem or

Wellness Center makes referral to Community
Resources
SOCIAL SERVICES
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
PSYCHOLOGIST
PSYCHIATRIST
SOCIALWORKER
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External Referral Process

• When help is needed beyond our school...

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Managing Disorders in the Classroom
Follow good classroom management principles
Communicate with others
Take care of yourself
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Talking with Parents
Observablebehaviors
Start early
Be positive and have perspective
Stick together
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NOTICE
TALK
ACT
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Changing a Lifes Course
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More Resources for You

• www.healthyminds.org
• (American Psychiatric Association)
• Other Resources
• www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child and
  Adolescent Psychiatry)

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