Children and youth often live with families, so crisis services for them must address the needs of their families as well. This includes the family’s unique perspectives, cultures and needs.
Many communities have dedicated youth crisis teams. These are trained to assist youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Identifying a Crisis
A crisis for children and youth is different than one for adults. Unlike adults, youth typically live with families and often face unique situations that require specific attention. As such, they must be treated as a whole, including their families and other supportive people in their lives. Addressing this needs is important to ensure their safety and long-term recovery.
During a mental health crisis, it is common for students to express feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, as well as engage in behaviors that are dangerous to themselves or others. These include making references to suicide, giving away prized possessions or “settling accounts,” and exhibiting other behaviors that may signal underlying emotional distress.
States are exploring ways to incorporate family-centered practices in youth crisis receiving and stabilization facilities to better serve these unique and complex needs. Some are even implementing models that allow for intensive care coordination after the youth is discharged from the facility. For more information on these models, click HERE.
Getting Help
Youth can access crisis services through a number of different routes. These may include youth-centered call centers, mobile crisis teams that can come to a young person’s home or other location to provide a full assessment of the situation and recommendations for next steps, or in-home crisis stabilization services.
Youth need specialized care that includes prevention, education and treatment services, geared towards their specific needs. This includes helping them develop skills and resources to deal with their emotional struggles, including coping strategies and relaxation techniques. It also involves addressing their social and economic vulnerabilities, such as lack of job opportunities, a high rate of unemployment among young women, and discrimination that can contribute to a cycle of poverty.
Psychologists across the country are working to destigmatize mental health care and support for youth in crisis. They are developing and disseminating new solutions to help families address these challenges. Pediatricians are also uniquely positioned to offer early intervention through routine well-child visits, which include comprehensive behavioral health screenings for children and adolescents.
Supporting Your Teen
Although it is difficult to know how to best support your teenager during a mental health crisis, there are steps you can take to ensure they receive the care they need. One of the most important is ensuring that your teen receives an in-depth assessment. This will not only help in the diagnosis of their condition but also allow for a more comprehensive treatment plan that can address all of the underlying factors that are contributing to their distress.
This may include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or family counseling. Some families also find that group therapy is helpful for adolescents in crisis.
It is essential for teens in crisis to be able to have a safe space to open up and express their emotions. This can be done by providing regular opportunities for them to talk and letting them know that they are loved and supported, even when they do not always behave well.
Community Resources
Many states have established youth-specific crisis receiving and stabilization facilities to provide immediate assessment, short-term care and connection to community services. Learn more about these models and the benefits of this approach.
A 24-hour teen hotline where you can talk to another teen about the issues you are facing. They are trained to listen and understand and can help you find the right resources for you. It’s anonymous, confidential and free.
Educational and family support programs for New York City teens, including Regents and SAT test preparation, internship opportunities, film and writing program, college application assistance, life skills and transition to independence group. Most programs are free; a sliding scale fee is charged for summer day camp and some counseling services.
A national organization that offers support and education on depression and bipolar disorder to families, young people, and the communities that serve them. Find fact sheets, videos, and other information that can help you and your teen talk about these issues.