In the last three weeks, the school I work at has lost two students. My colleagues and I have collectively known dozens of adolescents who have died since we started our careers in education. Car accidents, health complications, drugs and alcohol, and suicide have prematurely robbed the souls from these young bodies. The dreams they and their parents had are halted in a cruel fashion no one can even imagine. What we know is that adolescents are susceptible to a lot, and all too often the effects are irreversible.
With the Holiday season upon us, it is imperative that we keep an eye on our children and their mental health.
Changes in mood, energy, positive thinking and daily aptitude can impact how our children approach their general well-being. Adolescents may be more prone to making unusual or careless choices and mistakes when their ability to think in a rational manner is altered. Sleep deprivation or unusual sleep cycles can also alter decision making processes and the ability to think clearly. Experiencing both (mental health changes and sleep deprivation) can be especially devastating when trying to navigate their already impulsive, egocentric and irrational thoughts.
The Holidays are a time when mental health issues skyrocket.
Death, divorce, abuse, loss of income, homelessness, identity crises, etc. are oftentimes triggered by the stress and emotion that the holidays bring. People are walking around wounded and unfortunately, a lot of adolescents are masters at masking their true feelings. Having frequent check-ins and establishing a level of trust and openness are a couple ways to sense an emotional crisis is occurring.
Here are a few other behavioral changes to look out for concerning adolescents during this time:
- Changes in friends and/or time spent away from home
- A sudden plummet in grades or overall interest in school
- Combativeness and irritability
- A general lack of desire and/or loss of interest in things
- Decreased appetite or unwillingness to eat
- Feelings of extreme highs and lows
- Excessive fears and anxieties
- Suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
If you see any of these changes in behavior in your children, it is important that you monitor them while also giving them the emotional and psychological support that they need. Schools are a good resource; school counselors, social workers and other mental health practitioners can offer support in schools and ideas for approaches and practices that can be done outside of school as well.
Mental health is fragile and can be unpredictable.
The idea that issues such as depression and anxiety can be “slept off” or cured is largely unfounded. Proper treatment and a good support system are two of the approaches for a holistic approach to mental health care. As moms, we must not ignore the warning signs and we must be careful to not attach our own feelings and biases to our children. Mental health illness is common and normal and it is important that we accept our children for who they are while not denying them of their feelings. In addition, it is important that we take care ourselves and the rest of our family by reaching out to support groups if needed and taking time out for ourselves and our other family members. As with most things, mental health illness does not define your child or your family. It is also important to remember that most adolescents with mental health illness return to a productive and healthy life once the illness is treated and continuously cared for and maintained.
For more information, please see the National Institute of Mental Health website or the Mental Health America website.
If you know someone is in crisis, please seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis line or call 911 for help.
