Even among the mental health professionals, recent CDC news came as a shock. To one study It was released earlier this month, the organization said that depression between adolescents and US adults has increased by 60 % in the last decade – and that young people, aged 12 to 19, were the age group that is likely to report the current symptoms of depression.
If you are worried by these numbers you are not alone. ‘I am not surprised that there was a drastic increase [in depression]Although I was surprised that it was 60 percent, ” Heather HagenMS, LMFT, Executive Director of Clinical Services of Foreign Patients in Newport Healthcare says sheknows. “Sixty percent was, I think, amazing for most of us in the field.”
According to Hagen, there are some reasons why depression is growing among adolescents. “The pandemic is definitely deteriorating mental health challenges for many people in the US, especially for our young people,” he said. “These are social, shaping years.” Isolation from friends in and out of school has contributed to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are risk factors for depression.
Social media also contributes to loneliness, Hagen says, reducing the amount of “essential personal connections” that teenagers have by encouraging potentially harmful comparisons. Technology also keeps us constantly connected to the news circle, increasing the promotion of global issues. While it is good to stay up -to -date, we can also “flood with all the heavy things that are happening, inequality and climate change and all wars around the world,” Hagen says. Especially for teenagers who feel they have a limited ability to introduce change, which can be a heavy weight.
For parents who want to help, one of the first steps is to know the signs of depression in adolescents. According to Hagen, these may include:
- Thymus
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness, despair or vacuum
- No longer find joy in things they enjoy
- Struggles with concentration, decision making or remember things
- Changes to sleep or appetite
- Low self -esteem
- Suicidal thoughts
As a parent who wants to help, Hagen has some recommendations. The first: “You have an open dialogue with your children and have a strong relationship with them,” he says. The idea is to create a relationship of trust and security with your teenager so they know that they can come to you with any fight.
And, if they come to you with a problem, your reaction is the key. “As parents, of course they come as a problem solving,” Hagen explains. But with many children – and especially with teenagers – “This is not always what they want,” he points out. “The majority of time our children just want to be heard.” He directly suggests that you ask your teenager how they want your support. “Come from one place,” I’m here for you, and it’s a conversation where you want to hear just, or are you looking for a solution? ”
It is also recommended to model healthy behaviors, such as social media or technology, and normalizing mental health help. “If your child sees, he sees you care for yourself and make sure you have the support you need. Gives them permission to do the same,” he explains. (PS: Here are tips on how to find a therapist for your teenager.)
The most important thing is to maintain this open and honest relationship with your teenager. “The number one is really about the relationship with your children,” Hagen points out, “that they think they can come to you no matter what they are.” And when they come to you with a problem, asking them if you need to hear or help them fix it – and reassure them. “Your first reaction will be,” Thank you very much for trusting me, “Hagen explains.” “We can get through it together.”
If you, your child or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, depression or suicide thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis telephone line Their website For more resources.
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