Adolescents face many challenges during crisis situations, including increased feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. These challenges can have a profound impact on the quality of their lives and those around them.
Youth are also disproportionately affected by economic problems and are often unable to find jobs, leaving them vulnerable to recruitment into armed groups or street gangs.
What is a crisis?
Having a mental health crisis can feel like the end of the world for many people. This is because of the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that can be experienced during this time. It’s important to understand that this is a normal part of the healing process and there are ways to cope during these times.
Generally speaking, a crisis is an event that requires immediate attention by someone else. This includes situations like a suicide attempt, family violence or running away. These are considered emergencies and require a quick response from law enforcement or a child protective service (CPS).
The word crisis comes from the Greek word krisis, which refers to “a turning point in a disease.” It can mean recovery or death. Depending on the person, each crisis may look different. The reasons for a crisis are just as unique. Some common causes include drug and alcohol abuse, family problems and a lack of social supports.
Recognizing a crisis
Teens who experience emotional crises often have underlying mental health issues that can be very difficult to detect. It’s important for parents, teachers and caregivers to be aware of changes in baseline behaviors. For example, if your teen is regularly showing signs of agitation or social isolation they could be in a crisis.
Other signs of a crisis include avoiding school or engaging in risky activities like running away. Other behavioral struggles include addictions to technology and gambling as well as sexual promiscuity.
Additionally, youths in crisis can be facing additional societal and environmental challenges such as poverty and hunger. These concerns can lead to a negative impact on their mental health and can be difficult to overcome. Strained communication within families, unhealthy coping skills, and a lack of structure and organization can also contribute to a crisis situation. During an assessment, it’s important to interview both the teen and their family/caregiver(s). This will allow the clinical team to identify resources that will support them in their recovery and healing.
Getting help
Pre-pandemic, depression, anxiety and suicide rates were rising among adolescents. During the pandemic, those trends have worsened. Teens are visiting emergency departments for mental health reasons at higher rates and more frequently, and they are dying by suicide at younger ages.
A crisis intervention counselor can help a teen find resources to address their needs and get the care they need. They can also help a teen learn how to manage their symptoms and avoid future crises.
In the past, research has shown that a combination of therapy methods can be most effective for teens in crisis. These include cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. These types of therapies can provide a safe space for your teenager to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their distress.
Day treatment may be a good option for your teenager in the event that outpatient therapy does not improve their symptoms. It can offer more intensive therapy sessions and academic support.
Supporting your teen
In addition to being present and available to your teenager, it’s important that you make mental health discussions a regular part of your family conversations. This will help you get ahead of issues, and make it easier for you to recognize when your teen is in crisis.
Teach your teen about warning signs of mental health struggles, and encourage them to talk to you about them. Reassure them that you will listen to their concerns without judgment and try to understand their feelings.
Keep an eye on your teen for drastic changes in behavior, such as a sudden change in appetite or an abrupt withdrawal from activities they normally enjoy. If they begin to express suicidal thoughts, it is a major emergency and should not be ignored.
Encourage your teen to put the Crisis Text Line in their contacts list so they can quickly and easily get help. In a crisis, they can also call 911 or visit their local emergency room.