2021 Scary Rising Statistics Mental Health in Children and Teens
Mental Health in our children and teens. Scary rising statistics
Revised Sept 2020 Mental Health Matters: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month!! We need to break the stigma that keeps so many from getting help.
There have been some very disturbing statistics in the news lately. I am referring to the statistics of how many youths are suffering from anxiety and how that rate has increased. The myriad of mental health issues our children and youth are suffering is increasing instead of decreasing.
What can we do to make a difference?
The articles I reference are the numbers of children going to the E.R. for suicidal tendencies is doubled. the statistics for the number of Maine children in state custody in 2018 waiting to be adopted.
May 6th Is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. I hope that I can at least help spread awareness to the need for this issue to be recognized and addressed. Our children are the future. We need to ensure they get the help they need from us now rather than later.
What I have read recently and my thoughts
I personally do not feel that a seclusion room is helpful. Perhaps there is a time and place for it but who decides when and how often and for how long it is used?? Do you have a child or know a child who is chronically saying their tummy hurts? It could be a sign of a dairy or intestinal issue like in my family or it could also be a sign of anxiety which also runs in my family. Yes, anxiety and depression do have a genetic tendency.
Imagine the mom guilt when you are in the room when the doctor tells your teen to not feel bad about it. He inherited these genes from his mom so its her fault. Yep I was there for that. It is genetic but instead of saying hey we have these genes and there is nothing we can do. Yes there is. We can do our best to overcome and we can use our knowledge to break the stigma for the next person.
Here is an article called 10 tips to talking to your kids about depression.
Researchers want to focus on preventing childhood trauma through public health. Can biomarkers in childhood predict psychiatric disease in adulthood ?
Self Care Best Books
My Journey Quick Recap
In case you have not read previous posts where I have mentioned my struggle with mental illness, I will explain a bit. I started having mental health issues at a young age. At 16 I mentioned it to a dr. He prescribed pills. A school counselor asked if I wanted counseling. The stigma kept me from continuing the pills or seeing a counselor. All I craved was to be ‘normal’ like the other kids all around me. Then I managed life well for a long while. But it was still there. Then in my early 30’s I had a nervous breakdown and finally entered in depth treatment.
Why I have started writing my blog
It has been a long road and I will spare you the details. I feel like a different person these days despite some of the old struggle creeping back in every now and again. It is still a struggle but one I can manage much better. I cannot for the life of me fathoming all these kids at 8 years old having suicidal ideation but it is a reality so many families are struggling with today.
When I started feeling I was recovering I was encouraged and vowed somehow, I wanted to use my struggles to do good to help someone else. I graduated with a minor in psychology and early children’s services and now 3 years later I finally feel that what I should be doing is advocating for all these children. Wanting to make sure that stigma does not keep them from the help they need and deserve. Wanting them to feel understood and accepted for who they are. Won’t you join me in making a difference?
I am not alone in finding that blogging helps my mental health
How Blogging Helps My Mental Well Being
I read an article that with the warmer weather comes a spike in suicide rates. I always thought the rates would be higher during the darker season of winter.
As we are now seeing the effect of the Covid19 pandemic we are also seeing the effect on folks. Even more numbers are rising of depression,anxiety and there have been some suicides resulting from those with worsening depression.
supporting your spouses mental health
Anyone who has to fight the demons of their own mind every day know it is an exhausting battle. We are seeing even more mental health issues in children. There HAS to be something we can do to reverse these rising numbers.
Five Ways to Support a Loved One with Anxiety or Depression
Can you cheer me up I’m feeling down
I want to be an advocate and support others thought at times I’m struggling to get through a normal day.
Did you know having pets can boost your mental health?
Have you Taken the Mental Health First Aid Kit Course?
#BeTheDifference
As most of you have heard something about Brittney Spears in the news over time, I am sure. As she seeks help this article gives good advice to all of us about mental health help. We really need to get mental health for ourselves if we need it. Our children are looking up to us as role models.
May 17 2019 I am attending a National Alliance Mental Illness training Youth Mental Health First Aid Kit. I am hoping that in the course I can learn how I can better make a difference for today’s struggling youth.
Do you want to know about Mental Health First Aid Certification for all click here. For Maine Kids Count 2019 Data click here.
Maine leads the nation in numbers of kids with anxiety. We need to change that for the kids’ sake.
A post I wrote inspired by the song by Wilson Phillips. Hold On For One More Day. How to hang in there. Hold On For One More Day: A List.
As we head into the holiday season it is good to be reminded that it is not the most wonderful time of year for everyone. This post from my friend Jen at Diffusing the Tension tells us 10 ways you can beat holiday stress. Let us work together and make a difference.
Mental health issues in children, youth and teens is the new norm. Whether they are being over-medicated and over-diagnosed is a thorny issue. Behavioral issues are no longer tolerated in schools. If you don’t fit into the mold, then there must be something wrong. Such a frustrating problem.I have a teen with ADHD/mood disorder/depression who is medicated. He does counseling, has an IEP, and is being given all the help he could possibly need so he can work through his issues. The biggest problem occurs when parents will not go the whole nine yards and go to any lengths to help their children.
The ‘funny’ thing is, mental health is practically the cool thing to do. People joke about it, brag about it, yet those who truly deal with it are still stigmatized in society. I love the first aid kit idea, it should literally be a required class in highschool/junior high!
This is SO important. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Such an important topic.
Thanks for sharing! Hope you are staying safe.
Firstly thanks so much for sharing my post on how pets can boost your mental health that is very kind of you. Secondly, great post on anxiety and depression/other mental health issues in children. You are right in saying that children are being affected by mental health issues and we need to do something about it. I spent years trying to get a diagnosis so it was a relief to get one after so much time struggling growing up.
Thank you for stopping by and I am happy to share your post. We need to spread awareness and break the stigma.
These are sobering statistics. Thank you for keeping this discussion the and awareness going. So important!
Thank you for stopping by and letting me know you agree we need to keep the discussion and awareness going.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and these resources!!
An amazing article, thank you very much for sharing it. What is the main cause of depression among the youth?
Thank you for sharing this information. This is a topic dear to my heart as someone who has worked with children and youth for over 20 years. There are many statistics that would shock people, most of which are good indicators that we need to adjust some things in our society (in my personal opinion!).
It is sad to see the rise I mental health illness in children. Providing them healthy ways to manage their emotions and feelings can definitely help
Your insights into mental health are deeply impactful. The holistic approach you advocate is both practical and accessible, offering real strategies for improvement. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.