Impacting Youth: Mental Health Awareness to Treatment

Jeannie Von Stultz, Ph.D

Director of Mental Health Services

Bexar County Juvenile Probation

Danielle Housley, MPH

Northside ISD Health & PE Department

My Son and Bipolar Disorder.

Where is My Casserole?

Everyday Challenges

13-20% of children present with mental health issues (CDC - 2013)

419,070 children in Texas suffered mental illness which impaired school, home, and/or community (2002-MHA)

26% of eligible at-risk children in Texas received services (2002-MHAT)

Everyday Challenges

82% of TDFPS children, where parents relinquished custody, are there because parents had no way to access mental health services (2002-MHAT)

48-50% of children referred to TYC or Juvenile Probation had mental illness (2002-MHAT)

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Published by American Psychiatric Association

Diagnostic Categories are proposed and determined by work groups of mental health professionals (MD and PhD)

Difficult to Diagnose Children

Ongoing development

“Normal” behavior varies – Influenced by culture and/or trends

Symptoms present differently in children and adolescents

Childhood diagnoses share many symptoms

Factors Influencing Diagnosis

Psychological testing – “Snap shot”

Psychiatric Evaluation – “Snap shot””

Behaviors occur in specific circumstances

– “No problems at home”

– “No problems at school”

Factors Influencing Diagnosis

Symptoms not observed

– Sleeping Habits

– Eating Habits

– Undiagnosed Medical Problems

– Undiagnosed Learning Problems

– Medication/Drug Side Effects

Factors Influencing Diagnosis

Collateral information is helpful

– Professionals who observe child regularly

– Professionals who witness particular symptoms

Diagnoses change as clinician gains knowledge

– List of rule-out possibilities

Causes are Complicated

Biology– Genetics

– Chemical imbalances in the body

– Damage to the central nervous system

Environment– Loss of important relationships (divorce, death)

– Exposure to violence

– Stress related to chronic conditions (poverty, discrimination)

– Exposure to environmental toxins

Prevalent Diagnostic Categories

Oppositional Defiant

Conduct Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Substance Abuse/Dependence

Shared Symptoms

Irritability

Aggressiveness

Inattentiveness

Fatigue

Sleep disturbance

Eating disturbance

Blaming Others

Distractibility

Talkativeness

Hyperactivity

Unable to follow instructions

Argumentative

Impulsivity

What Can Community Do?

Educate

Communicate

Advocate

Northside ISD Health Education

High School Health Education requirement: State says NO, NISD says YES

Semester class (.5 unit)

– Typically sophomore/junior

– Mental Health Awareness Lesson 1: Mental Health Basics

Lesson 2: Mental Health Disorders

Lesson 3: Suicide Prevention

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Health Education

Current TEKS specific to Mental Health:– Describe the causes, symptoms, and treatment of eating

disorders;

– Examine issues related to death and grieving;

– Analyze strategies to prevent suicides;

– Examine causes and effects of stress and develop strategies for managing stress and coping with anxiety and depression;

– Analyze the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other substances such as physical, mental, social, and legal consequences;

– Evaluate positive and negative effects of various relationships on physical and emotional health such as peers, family, and friends

Northside ISDMental Health Awareness

Lesson 1: Mental Health Basics

– What does it mean to be in a state of mental well-being

– Defining mental illness

– Mental illness can affect any persons of any age, race, religion, or income

– Myths and stigmas

Northside ISDMental Health Awareness

Lesson 2: Characteristics of Mental Health Disorders

– Classifications of mental illness: Anxiety Disorders

Childhood Disorders

Cognitive Disorders

Eating Disorders*

Mood Disorders

Personality Disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Substance Use Disorders

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors*

– Getting help

Northside ISDMental Health Awareness

Lesson 3: Suicide Prevention

– Defining self-directed violence

– Risk factors

– Myth vs Fact

– Getting help

Northside ISDPreparing our Health Teachers

IST attended 8hr Mental Health Education for Students and Teachers training

All teachers required to attend 3 hour training titled: Addressing Mental Health for NISD Health Teachers

– Establishing a safe and caring culture

– Identifying Student Needs

– Communicating with campus counselors, parents

– Effective strategies

District Suicide Prevention Guidelines

Northside ISDPartners and More

Alamo Area Teen Suicide Prevention Coalition

Collaboration with NISD Psychological Services (Counseling Department) – Mental Health First Aid Course: learn risk factors and

warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help

HB 2186 – suicide prevention training for all educators

Northside ISDFuture

New Health Education TEKS?

Webinars, Conferences, Professional Development, Literature, etc.

Implementation of evidence-based Suicide Prevention Program

2013: Suicide was the 3rd

Leading Cause of Death

Updated Unit = Tremendous Impact

Addition of Disclaimer

Feedback:

Exit Ticket

VideoTEEN LINE Suicide Prevention -Shortened Version (YouTube)

www.teenlineonline.org

Contact Information

Jeannie Von Stultz, Ph.D.

210-335-7515

jvonstultz@bexar.org

Danielle Housley, MPH

danielle.housley@nisd.net