Mental Health Disorders
The most common type of mental health disorder diagnosed amongst adolescents.
What is anxiety
*Depression and eating disorders are the second and third*
The last part of the brain to become fully developed.
What is the prefrontal cortex
Common, expected reactions/responses to the challenges of everyday life
What is stress
A student is crying in your class. What should you do?
- Ask them what they need (step outside the classroom for a bit, go see Mrs. Sansevere, go to the bathroom, etc.)
- A student might be crying for a number of reasons (both big and small) so asking what they need in that moment challenges them to think about how they are going to self-regulate, how "big" their problem is, and if they are able to remain in the classroom and push through. A student is allowed to cry and still be okay, so it doesn't mean they always need to see/speak with someone but we do want to be mindful about checking in and letting them know you're there if they need anything.
Arizona has the worst student:counselor ratio in the entire country.
True
The American School Counselor Association recommends a 250:1 ratio. Arizona's average is about 650:1. However, it's only in the last 5 years this average has decreased. In 2019 Arizona's average ratio was 905:1.
Symptoms of anxiety
What is excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, trouble concentrating, avoidance of new or difficult situations, chronic complaints about stomach aches, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, etc.
The part of the brain that activates our fight or flight response.
What is the amygdala
The crisis hotline number printed on the back of every student's ID badge.
What is 988
A student arrives in class and is noticeably in distress (crying, hyperventilating, shaking, can't catch their breath or talk). What should you do?
They may be experiencing a panic attack so we want to help ground them and focus on slowing down their breath. Try not to send a student alone when in this state to the bathroom, counselor, or nurse - always send another student to escort them to counselor or nurse.
Mental health struggles tend to be associated with poor academic performance.
True
Given GCA's high academic achievement, students struggling with poor mental health can often go unnoticed if we are only focusing on their grades.
Second leading cause of death amongst 12-19 year olds.
What is suicide
This part of the brain is responsible for driving emotion and intensifies in the adolescent brain.
What is the limbic system
Name 3 reasons why teens hesitate to ask for help.
What is:
-they don't want to be a "burden"
-it's hard to talk about your struggles and be vulnerable
-fear of being judged
-stigma
-don't know who to talk to
-don't think the problem is "serious enough"
-asking for help is "weak"
You overhear a student say "Omg I want to kill myself." What should you do?
Ask clarifying questions. We know adolescents don't always use the best choice of words when expressing their feelings, which can lead to dark humor or language around death without suicidal intent. If concerned the language was not used in a joking manner, refer to MHC for further assessment.
Certain populations of students are more affected by mental health than others.
True
LGBTQ+, female students, and students across racial and ethnic populations are at higher risk for mental health struggles.
Symptoms of Depression
What is changes in sleep patterns, loss of appetite, consistent feelings of sadness, lack of motivation/energy, irritability, withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal ideation, etc.
This "feel good" chemical is highly active in teen brains.
What is dopamine
A team at school that meets biweekly to discuss high risk/high need students and how to best support them.
What is BHT (Behavioral Health Team)
*Bonus* - does anyone know who the BHT includes?
You notice fresh cuts on a student's arm when they take their sweater off in your class. What should you do?
Remember to be sensitive and think about the relationship you have with that student. Directly pointing out the cuts can trigger a student and cause them to shut down completely. You can always consult with MHC prior to taking any steps and refer to nurse so the cuts can be examined/monitored. We always need more information because this could be a student whose parents are aware and are getting them outside support or a student who is flying under the radar with no supports in place. This is something that should be addressed with MHC/nurse asap.
Adolescent mental health was not a huge concern pre-covid.
False
About 1 in 5 adolescents experience a diagnosable mental health issue. However, the number of adolescents affected by mental health struggles increased drastically following the pandemic.
The neurotransmitters involved in depression.
What is serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
The effects of _____ can alter the development of the brain.
What is trauma
Name two helpful techniques a student can utilize in the event of a panic attack.
What is grounding and breathing techniques
These techniques calm your central nervous system allowing you to focus your mind more clearly.
A student has a known mental health diagnosis, takes medication, sees a therapist weekly, and has encountered extreme trauma in their life. The student has confided in you about all these things and you worry about them. What should you do?
It might be helpful to put this student on MHC's radar, however they don't necessarily need to be referred and see me. Counseling in school is meant to support students who are struggling and affected in this environment. Sometimes a student might struggle with things outside of school, but feel safe on campus and thrive socially and academically here. Reminding them of my space and if they need me can be helpful, but they don't always have to see me for counseling.
Kids do well if they can, not if they want to.
True
Oftentimes adults place blame on kids for purposeful behaviors by saying things like:
-they're just manipulating
-they just want attention
-they're being lazy
-they know how to do this, they're just choosing not to
Kids are in their developmental stages, which means they are currently learning and working on certain skills. When kids don't do well, there is typically a lagging skill that is preventing them from achieving the task/behavior.