Monitoring mental health for today's adolescents
Posted 11-20-2015 at 07:59 AM by DavidRaonic
Mental illness and addiction impact people in many different ways. With one in five Canadians experiencing a mental health or addictions problem, most of us know someone affected. Mental health and addiction issues range from depression and anxiety to substance abuse disorders.
With 70 per cent of mental health problems and illnesses beginning during childhood or adolescence, it is important to stay engaged in your child's behaviour and consult with someone that can help. All Ontario Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) have teams of dedicated community mental health and addictions nurses (MHAN) who are helping students. Working on the frontlines in schools, these specialized CCAC nurses focus on the success of students with mental health and/or addictions issues, helping them thrive at school, remain in school, or successfully transition back to school.
“My amazing community care access centre mental health and addiction nurse changed my life. Shauna was one of the first real supports that I had. I could not have done without her. I was struggling. She opened a new world to me,” says 20-year-old Maria who has a borderline personality disorder. Maria attempted suicide three years ago and has totally turned her life around. Today Maria is in her second year of a third-year child and youth worker program at George Brown College and graduated first year on the Dean's List.
Shauna explains, “I have been inspired by Maria who has dedicated a large portion of her time to fighting the stigma that exists for people living with mental illness.”
Facts about youth and mental health
• Ontario school boards indicate that educators rank mental health and substance use as a critical issue for school systems.
• 15 to 21% of Ontario's youth have at least one mental health disorder, however very few seek services for their problems.
• Approximately 25% of students with a psychiatric disorder drop out of school, accounting for 14% of all high school drop-outs.
• Two-thirds of youth with substance use issues have a co-occurring mental health problem.
Tips for parents from CCAC mental health and addiction nurses:
• Communication is key - ask your teen about fears and concerns, check in often and respect his or her opinion.
• Help your teen explore solutions and find acceptable ways of working through anger and stress.
• Become familiar with the services available at your child's school and let your teen know it is okay to seek help from a counsellor, health care professional or a trusted adult.
• Praise and celebrate your teen and all their accomplishments. Promote healthy body image and lifestyle.
With 70 per cent of mental health problems and illnesses beginning during childhood or adolescence, it is important to stay engaged in your child's behaviour and consult with someone that can help. All Ontario Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) have teams of dedicated community mental health and addictions nurses (MHAN) who are helping students. Working on the frontlines in schools, these specialized CCAC nurses focus on the success of students with mental health and/or addictions issues, helping them thrive at school, remain in school, or successfully transition back to school.
“My amazing community care access centre mental health and addiction nurse changed my life. Shauna was one of the first real supports that I had. I could not have done without her. I was struggling. She opened a new world to me,” says 20-year-old Maria who has a borderline personality disorder. Maria attempted suicide three years ago and has totally turned her life around. Today Maria is in her second year of a third-year child and youth worker program at George Brown College and graduated first year on the Dean's List.
Shauna explains, “I have been inspired by Maria who has dedicated a large portion of her time to fighting the stigma that exists for people living with mental illness.”
Facts about youth and mental health
• Ontario school boards indicate that educators rank mental health and substance use as a critical issue for school systems.
• 15 to 21% of Ontario's youth have at least one mental health disorder, however very few seek services for their problems.
• Approximately 25% of students with a psychiatric disorder drop out of school, accounting for 14% of all high school drop-outs.
• Two-thirds of youth with substance use issues have a co-occurring mental health problem.
Tips for parents from CCAC mental health and addiction nurses:
• Communication is key - ask your teen about fears and concerns, check in often and respect his or her opinion.
• Help your teen explore solutions and find acceptable ways of working through anger and stress.
• Become familiar with the services available at your child's school and let your teen know it is okay to seek help from a counsellor, health care professional or a trusted adult.
• Praise and celebrate your teen and all their accomplishments. Promote healthy body image and lifestyle.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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There is hope and help for these young people. Too often, people put them down for their problems but we have to somehow intervene in their lives and give them solutions.Posted 11-21-2015 at 11:29 AM by Gurn350
