Marlene B. Huff PhD, LCSWUniversity of Kentucky

Department of PediatricsDivision of Adolescent Medicine

Improving Teen Mental Health

Presentation at Tates Creek High School

Lexington, KY

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

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 mentalhealth 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• FREQUENT ?– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple days/weeks)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 classroom

CONDUCT 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

Ineffective Coping

• Drugs• Sex• Alcohol• Cutting

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

External Referral Process

When help is needed beyond our school...

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)

Thank you!