Improving Teen Mental Health

Presentation for Newark High School

Teachers & Staff

TODAY’S PRESENTATION

Treatment

Steps to take

Warning signs

Normal teen development

Types of mental health problems

Referral process

Talking to parents

Managing the Classroom

State of the problem

Newark High School

No help =

PainSufferingFailing

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

HELP = Better academic achievement

Less substance abuse

Improved chances for their future

Everyone Can Make a Difference

Every Adult

SchoolStaff

Parents

Teachers’ Critical Role

Influential

On the Front Lines

Overburdened

NOTICE TALK ACT

Steps Teachers Can Take

Angry or aggressivebehaviors

Poorconcentration

Increasedtardiness or

absences

WithdrawnWithdrawn

Anxious

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.

TypicalTeens

• Experiencing more than normal developmental challenges, inability to form healthy relationships

• Without treatment, more likely to have serious problems:

• Academic• Relationships• Employment

TroubledTeens

+ environment

What causes mental

health disorders?biology

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• FREQUENT ?– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple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 you’ve seen/heard with school

MH staff

Mood disorders

Anxiety disorders

Psychotic disorders

Behavioral/disruptive disorders

Teen Mental Health Disorders

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

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

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

OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER

•Stubborn, argumentative, hostile

•Major distraction in the classroomCONDUCT DISORDER

•Verbal/physical aggression

•Junior sociopaths

•End up in detention centers

Marked change in school

performance

Inability to cope

Physicalcomplaints

Sexualacting out

Depression

Abuse ofalcohol/drugs

Intense fear of becoming

obese Nightmares

Threat to harm self or others

Self-injury/ Cutting

Frequentoutbursts

Threats torun away

Aggression

Unusualbehavior

Psychiatrists Psychologists

Mental HealthCounselors

Psychiatrists Psychologists

Mental HealthCounselors

School Mental Health Professionals

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

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

Effective Mental Health Treatment

Cognitive Behavior

Therapy (CBT)

Family Therapy

Group Therapy

THERAPY

TEACHER talks to student or parent

TEACHER identifies a cause for concern in a student

Teachers notify Wellness Center Staff

PROCESS AT

NEWARK HIGH

SCHOOL

Wellness Center handles problem or

Wellness Center makes referral to Community

Resources

If problem is identified as a behavior/conduct

problem, student is sent

to ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL or ADVISOR.

PSYCHOLOGIST PSYCHIATRIST SOCIALWORKER

SOCIAL SERVICES

School Psychologist, School Social

Worker or Interventionist

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

External Referral Process

When help is needed beyond our school...

Managing Disorders in the Classroom

Follow good classroom management principles

Communicate with others

Take care of yourself

Talking with Parents

Start early

Stick together

Be positive and have perspective

Observablebehaviors

NOTICE TALK ACT

Changing a Life’s Course

More Resources for You

• www.healthyminds.org – (American Psychiatric Association)

• Other Resources– www.aacap.org (American Academy of

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)