Innovative Approaches to Helping Improve Teen Mental Health
When people hear about teen mental health first aid, they may first conjure up images of nurses or human services workers. But youth mental health first responders aren’t usually professionals in a moment of crisis.
Instead, mental health first aiders are the same family members or other caring citizens who would bandage a physical injury before going to an emergency room for stitches for a deep cut.
Artemis Adolescent Healing Center has helped countless adolescents after experiencing a mental health emergency. But our JCAHO-accredited facility in Tucson is rarely the first help the teens receive. Most often, teens enter our programs for mental health or addiction only after receiving initial support from a parent, educator, or physician.
The parents and caregivers who are most effective at stabilizing teens with mental illnesses until they can seek help are those who have completed Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) training, offered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Keep reading to learn more about how this mental health literacy program can help provide practical assistance until you can find professional care.
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Stop and Call 988 if Your Teen Is Considering Suicide
Teens will often mention suicide to their parents or caregivers. It’s a cry for help that you cannot ignore. If your teen mentions any self-harm, you are beyond the point of administering youth mental health first aid. Stay with them and call 988 or 911 to get help right away.
Why Young People Benefit from Mental Health First Aid Training
Training in teen MHFA provides young people and adults who care for them the tools to notice when someone is experiencing a mental health challenge.
Instead of feeling helpless in a mental health or substance crisis, they learn to stay calm and provide initial support until they get help.
Recognizing When a Teenager Is Experiencing a Mental Health Challenge
Youth MHFA training teaches the warning signs that indicate the early signs of youth mental health challenges, especially in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18):
- Mood changes
- Withdrawal or self-isolation
- No longer interested in once-loved activities
- Reduced self-esteem
- Expressing despair or hopelessness
- Lower grades
Parents and trusted adults or friends who notice developing mental wellbeing or substance use challenges are the best prepared to identify and address them before they reach crisis level.
A Statistic Parents and Caregivers Should Know
Mental Health America, a respected non-profit mental health association, explains that 46% of Americans will develop a mental illness during their lifetime; half of those exhibit the signs of mental health or substance use disorders by age 14.
Understanding the likelihood of challenges with mental health provides a clear picture of the scope of the youth mental health problem in the U.S.
Overlapping Mental Health and Substance Use in Adolescents
Perhaps one of the best arguments for taking a mental health first aid course is how the signs of mental health issues and substance use disorders co-occur. Teens often cope with depression or trauma by using drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. Teen MHFA training helps parents spot the signs before they cause a crisis.
How Teen Mental Health First Aid Programs Aid Youth Mental Health
Teen MHFA programs help aid youth mental health by teaching early intervention skills. The goal is to reduce stigma so young people feel safe asking for help. These programs also help build resilience, allowing families to restore bonds after professional treatment has ended.
Teaching Parents to Provide Initial Support with Confidence
Teen MHFA programs help parents provide initial support without panic. They learn how to put mental health first, without rushing to judgment. Parents learn essential mental health first aid skills, including listening, validating, and encouraging them to cooperate with treatment providers.
Innovative Approaches to Supporting Teens and Young People
Schools and entire communities are embracing ideas like youth mental health first aid. Other ideas on the table include community peer groups, making online resources available, and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. These programs reach teens where they are, making it easier for them to get the help they need.
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Call Artemis for Help with Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use
Mental health concerns and addictions challenge entire families. Parents interested in learning more about youth mental health first aid can visit the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s website. You’ll see a link to register for a teen MHFA course.
If your child is already in crisis, don’t wait another moment to call Artemis for help. Our admissions specialists will guide you through the process confidentially. They will even call your group health insurance provider to obtain whatever pre-certifications you may need. You are in the best of care when you entrust our team with your child’s mental health program.
Call today for help resolving your teenager’s mental health crisis – it’s free to make the call and we will provide options for support and assistance, so please reach out now.
