4 Troubled Teens Blog

Children under eight years old with mental health problems benefit from using support services, according to a new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

• Researchers found that 31 percent of the children showed decreases in their behavioral and emotional problems within the first six months of using a care system. 
• One-third of their caregivers reported fewer disruptions in family routines and fewer missed days of work within the first six months.
• The caregivers also said they had fewer feelings of sadness and isolation.

Previous government studies found that good social skills among kindergartners are linked to doing better in school, which can be another justification for early intervention. Young people who receive age-appropriate mental health services for issues such as adolescent depression are more likely to finish high school and less likely to get involved with legal authorities.
 

Massachusetts recently passed a law designed to crack down on bullying in schools. 

Under the new ruling, teachers must report bullying incidents to principals. The law prohibits bullying on school property and cyberbullying.

An 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl killed themselves after being bullied by their Massachusetts classmates.
 

Voices of Experience is an annual event hosted by the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley (New York). The event aims to provide hope and help to young people who are headed down the wrong path.

Briana] Watson is one of four women who will share their stories of success after overcoming challenges at this year’s Voices of Experience …

"The women share their stories with the girls and then the girls are asked to share any questions they would like to ask of the panelists, so there is an open mike session where the girls can just come up and ask what they want," said Susan Latoski, executive director of the foundation.” (Source: Democrat and Chronicle)

Watson was a troubled teen in her own right, not that long ago. She was failing several classes in high school and had no idea what she wanted from her future. Then she found a mentor who helped set her on a good path. Now she hopes to do the same for at least a few of the hundreds of girls expected to attend the event.

Almost one in three of the 22 million American high school and middle school students are "struggling readers," according to a new study funded by the federal government.

• The researchers used a five year statistical analysis from the Carnegie Corporation of New York Council on Advancing Adolescent Literacy.
• They found that almost 70% of eighth-graders and 65% of 12 graders cannot read at grade level.
• Reading proficiency among older children is actually declining.

The report calls for increased federal funding for high school and middle school reading programs. However, the authors noted that statewide reading initiatives for older students in Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Rhode Island, New Jersey and other states have failed to produce significant results.

Academic struggles that can result from reading deficiencies can lead to a host of other problems for teens, including self-esteem issues, poor self-image, depression and substance abuse.
 

A study released May 20 found that teenagers who are addicted to the internet are more likely to hurt themselves. More than 1,600 teens were surveyed for the study, which was conducted in Southeast China.

While only about 10 percent of the students surveyed were moderately addicted to the internet, and less than 1 percent were severely addicted, those students were 2.4 times more likely to have self-injured one to five times in the past 6 months than students with normal internet habits, Dr. Lawrence T. Lam from University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia, and colleagues found. [Source: Reuters]

Additionally, teenagers who were moderately to severely addicted were nearly five times more likely than other teens to have intentionally hurt themselves six times or more in the past six months.

Researchers didn’t hypothesize on the causal relationship between internet addiction and self-harm, but instead urged parents to watch for signs of internet addiction, with the understanding that an addicted teen is more likely to be hurting himself, too.

The Teton Valley, Idaho, community has been deeply shaken by two teen suicides that happened less than 30 days apart. Sophia Vickrey, 16-years-old, took her own life on April 16, and on May 6 – just three weeks later – 15-year-old Brandon Coburn committed suicide.

“Both teens were students at Teton High School, though it appears the two deaths were not directly related, said Teton County, Idaho coroner Tim Melcher… The two suicides have raised questions about culture and mental health care in the changing Teton Valley, particularly around Driggs, a tight-knit community where many people are only separated by a degree or two.” [Source: Plant JH (Jackson Hole) Weekly]

One mental health specialist hypothesized that “old-fashioned” small-town attitudes about being strong and independent may make young people feel they can’t admit to their struggles with anxiety, self-esteem or depression.

A youth survey in California found that most students feel stressed by the pressures of school, and few of them feel they get the help or attention they need. The survey was conducted by a youth advisory committee that talked to about 180 students in the Santa Clara area.

“Without proper help or understanding from adults, [KC Ham] said, teens ‘turn to a lot of different things to cope, and they’re not usually the right things.’ Drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, sleep problems, conflicts with parents and friends and, in extreme cases, suicide can all be linked to some kind of stress, Ham said.” [Source: Silicon Valley Mercury News]

Of the students surveyed, 75 percent said they were trying to cope with school-related stress. Over 60 percent said school personnel (teachers, principals, etc) aren’t effective at helping kids learn healthy ways of coping.

A pair of teenagers who ran away from the Bridge Youth and Family Services Center, are missing and may be in danger. This according to the Miami police, which is asking for the public to help find the girls.

“Sixteen year old Amanda Nazario, who has a tattoo of “peace” on her right shoulder, was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Amanda, who is 5’2” tall with black hair, is considered ‘endangered’ because she requires medication for her bi-polar disorder.” [Source: WFOR – Channel 4 (Miami)]

The other teenager, 14-year-old Lisa Varela, is 5’3” and weighs about 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a red shirt. Though the girls disappeared on the same day, authorities are uncertain if their disappearances are connected.

Anyone with information about the girls is asked to contact the Miami Police Department at 305.579.6630.

When it comes to children’s health, physical maladies are easy to see and treat. Consequently, most “children’s health” programs focus on the physical. But adolescent and teen mental health issues need attention, too.

“It is estimated that one in five children have mental health problems that are real, painful and can be severe to the point of being life-threatening. Unfortunately, an estimated two-thirds of all young people are not getting the help they need. However, there is hope since children’s mental health problems can be recognized and treated.” [Source: Chronicle Times (IA)]

The first week of May has been designated National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.S. It provides a great opportunity for parents, teachers and pediatricians to have conversations with pre-teens and teenagers who may be struggling but don’t know how to articulate their struggles.

A study conducted for the British helpline Get Connected found that teenagers are more likely to search the Internet for answers to personal problem than to ask their parents.

“Only one third said they would turn to their mother to discuss a problem, while just one in 20 would speak to their father. Half said they would be likely to speak to a friend.” [Source: Reuters]

Studies in the United States have told a very different story, finding that teens are still very influenced by their parents and often turn to them for advice.

Of course, technology has become a significant source of information and communication for both children and adults in recent decades. However, parents need to be vigilant to ensure that their teen's internet use doesn't become an internet obsession or addiction.