America’s youth are on the cusp of a mental breakdown. The intense pressure to fit in and be a part of social norms, as well as the expectations from parents and school systems, are often too much for the young mind. Add to that genetically inherited conditions and the inadequacies of youth and we have a firestorm waiting to ignite. As a society, we need better recognition and help for children who suffer from mental health problems. It can save a life.
Depression Is Commonplace Around Teens
Did you know that almost ten percent of young people from 18-25 admitted to having major depression in the past year? Adding to that shocking number is the 22 percent of teenage girls that have thought about suicide in the past year too. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, though it can also be brought on by circumstances.
Many teens come from broken homes, deal with poverty, and feel inadequate with peers. Relationship issues, bodily image problems, and other ruminating thoughts cause many to cut, turn to drugs, become sexually promiscuous, and do anything possible to ease the pain. As parents, we must recognize the signs of depression in children as it doesn’t look the same as it does in an adult.
When Mental Illness Goes Beyond Depression
Jani Schofield's story shocked the world when she appeared on a famous talk show with childhood schizophrenia. She is just one of the many children across the country that has been diagnosed with such a grave mental illness. We met the family who lives in an upside-down world where a child that wants to kill herself, her brother, and is tearing her home apart. She received the diagnoses at only six years of age. Thankfully, her parents got the help they needed to treat her and her brother, who has autism. Still, her illness ripped apart the family.
It's considered taboo by many health care professionals to diagnose schizophrenia and bipolar disease at such a young age. Most health care providers don't like to put such intense labels on a child, especially when they go through so many development phases. However, it can mean the difference in getting the proper help and having a chance at living a healthy life. Many parents don't want to face the fact that their child might be different. The stigma of mental health issues still exists.
Breaking the Mental Health Stigma
Much work has been done to destroy the stigmas surrounding mental health. If people, see someone in a wheelchair they often feel sorry for them and treat them with respect. However, a person with an invisible illness doesn't get the same admiration. They are often thought to be "normal" because to the outside world they look "normal."
A five-year-old child may not be able to articulate to the parent that something is wrong, and just because a child has reached 16 doesn't mean that their communication skills are any better. Parents must have an active role in their child's life. They must not brush things under the rug and continue to deny their children mental health care. Too many children are taking their lives at a young age.
As we see from the adults in Hollywood that have committed suicide, troubled teenagers grow up to be troubled adults. Could intervention have made a difference for Kate Spade, Robin Williams and Mindy McCready? These are highly publicized cases, but many people take their life, and the world never knows about them. It's time to end the stigma and get people the help they need, regardless of their age.