1 Typical or Troubled? TM Presentation for Teachers & Staff Typical or Troubled? TM Know the Difference, Make a Difference A Program of the American Psychiatric

1 • Typical or Troubled?TM

Presentation for Teachers & Staff

Typical or Troubled? TM

Know the Difference, Make a Difference

A Program of the American Psychiatric Foundation


TODAY’S PRESENTATION

Treatment

Steps to take

Warning signs

Normal teen development

Types of mental health problems

Referral process

State of the problem


Why is this information important?

Provides a framework for education on children’s mental health

Outlines specific steps staff can take when behaviors are noticed

Defines process of referring students

Creates a platform for continued education and interventions to support our students


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

National Statistics


Trends

• Homelessness• Incarcerated

Parents• Drug Use in the

Home• Truancy/Ed Neglect• Anxiety (Social,

Separation & General)

• Depression

• Disengaged Parenting

• Poverty• Cutting• Child Protection

Concerns• Increase in more

significant mental health diagnosis


No help =

PainSufferingFailing


HELP = Better academic achievement

Less substance abuse

Improved chances for their future


Everyone Can Make a Difference

Every Adult

SchoolStaff

Parents


Teachers’ Critical Role


NOTICE TALK ACT

Steps Teachers Can Take


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.

Typical Teens


• 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


Mood disorders

Anxiety disorders

Psychotic disorders

Behavioral/disruptive disorders

Teen Mental Health Disorders



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



Warning Signs of teen drug/alcohol abuse

Emotional• Personality/Mood

Changes• Irritable, Negative • Depression• Irresponsible/

Delinquent• Drop in School

Performance• Change in Groups of

Friends

Physical• Fatigue

• Repeated Health Complaints

• Red/Glazed Eyes• Lasting Cough

• Changes in Eating of Sleeping Habits


Attendance/Performance

Issues

Inability to cope

Somaticcomplaints

Sexualacting out

DepressionAbuse ofalcohol/drugs

Anxiety

Threat to harm self or others

Self-injury

Frequentoutbursts

Threats torun away

Aggression

Unusualbehavior


Sleep Disturbances


NOTICE TALK ACT

Steps Teachers Can Take


The Referral Process



Counselors

Social Workers

School Nurses

School Mental Health Support


Teacher TALKS to student

Teacher NOTICES a cause for concern in a student

Teachers ACTS by notifying SCHOOL MH assigned to

student (or CASE MANAGER for

special ed students)

What a referral looks like at

Marshall Public

Schools STUDENT and SCHOOL MH meet

SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH handles problem OR

SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH provides information on

outside resources to parents

If problem is identified as a behavior/conduct problem, student is sent

to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

PSYCHOLOGIST

PSYCHIATRIST

COUNTY SOCIAL

WORKER

MHCOUNSELO

R

PHYSICIAN


EFFECTIVE TREATMENT

Therapy, Medication– Often a combination works best

No quick fix – timeframe depends on:– Severity of disorder– Temperament of child– Family & school support

On-going Collaboration is Critical– Mental health professional– School Mental Health Support– Teachers – Parents



Changing a Life’s Course


Documents

1 Typical or Troubled? TM Presentation for Teachers & Staff Typical or Troubled? TM Know the Difference, Make a Difference A Program of the American Psychiatric