1 in 5 youth are diagnosed with a mental health condition. That statistic doesn’t account for the 50% to 70% that remain untreated. Adolescent mental conditions can affect how well youngsters perform in school and how they form relationships with their peers and adults. 

With this in mind, it may be time that  parents, educators, and youth care givers take a closer look at behaviors that are often categorized as inappropriate, defiant, or oppositional, and consider that those behaviors could possibly be exhibited by youngsters experiencing mental health challenges. 

As a child advocate or someone in direct contact with youngsters, it is important to be equipped with tools to identify the challenges youngsters maybe experiencing and adopt strategies to assist them through the struggles, even when it means connecting them with outside resources. The first step of the process is understanding the scope of mental health. Fortunately there are numerous resources available that explore adolescent mental health conditions. The next step requires a shift in paradigm about mental health. As advocates, it’s necessary to move past the stigma about youths in crisis with the intention of being better equipped to assist the youngsters in need. To put it another way, a child advocate’s responsibility is to identify the signs of the mental health condition and once that’s accomplished, the focus should be directed to providing reassurance and information to the youngster.

Here are some best practices when attempting to assist a youth in crisis. Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list and remember to always seek professional help. 

Do

Pay attention to signs and symbols

Set aside personal beliefs and reactions about mental health and those in crisis. 

Avoid expressing negative judgement

Ask direct questions while using a sensitive tone. 

Convey care through the language you use while speaking to the youth that may be experiencing a mental health crisis

Make sure you are in “the right frame of mind” before responding to the youth in crisis

Be genuine

Allow time for the youngster to process

Don’t 

Interrupt silent moments. The youth may struggling to express.

Use sarcastic comments or a hostile tone when speaking with your youngster in crisis

Don’t adopt an “over-involved” posture toward the youngster experiencing a mental health crisis. 

Don’t try to cure the youngster or come up with answers for their problems. 

Remember, the youngster is in crisis, offering reassurance, giving information, and seeking professional help are the most effectives way to support the youth and to foster a relationship of trust.

Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Health Illness - https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers

US Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Adolescent Health - https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-development/mental-health/adolescent-mental-health-basics/index.html

Mental Disorders - Teen Mental Health - http://teenmentalhealth.org/learn/mental-disorders/

Building Positive Relationships With Students Struggling with Mental Health - https://www.kappanonline.org/building-positive-relationships-with-students-struggling-with-mental-health/