Responding to the mental health needs of teenagers

Today's teenagers are facing issues unfamiliar to their parents and grandparents, and according to Susannah Moore, clinical social worker/therapist with Integrate Therapy and Wellness Collective in Bird-in-Hand, that can make it hard for generations to relate. "Those of us who graduated high school before COVID-19 hit and before social media took over the way it has, simply can't understand what it means to be a teen today," said Moore.

As a former school social worker, Moore is especially familiar with the issues facing students. "(Teenagers) have had their entire world shifted over and over," Moore commented. "They haven't had the sense of stability that most of us had."

Mental health issues among teens were rising prior to the advent of COVID-19 restrictions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 10-year Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that in 2019, nearly 40% of high school students reported periods of feeling persistently sad or hopeless. More than 18% seriously considered suicide. Moore pointed out that the rise of cyberbullying coupled with the pandemic has complicated the situation. "Complex trauma is what we're looking at," she said. "Ways that complex trauma can present can look like puberty or trying to gain independence ... (but) something that is true for most teens is that they benefit from support in figuring out their own mental health."

Kim McDevitt, executive director of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC), noted that communication is key, but not always easy. "Teens are struggling with feeling connected and heard," she said.

Moore agreed, saying, "These kids need safe spaces to process all that's happened," she noted. "Teens need to be accepted by their parents and to be capable of discussing mental health with their parents."

Ambur Gregorio, clinical social worker/therapist with Integrate Therapy, pointed out that parents may struggle to understand their child's situation. "(Teenagers) are dealing with so much that their parents didn't have to deal with, (and parents) don't know how to help their kids walk through this," she said, noting that after working many years in adult corrections, one of her goals is to help break cycles of trauma and abuse that may exist in families.

According to McDevitt, help is available when parents and school staff members respond to student needs. "Lancaster is very fortunate to have a wealth of resources, but we need to ensure that kids feel safe sharing with the adults in their lives," she said. "They need to know not only that they will be heard, but also that we will take action to provide them with tangible support."

Moore echoed McDevitt's thoughts, saying, "As a therapist working with teens, I am primarily interested in giving them that space where they feel believed and trusted and respected." She praised area schools for their efforts in this area. "Schools are doing an incredible job of integrating mental health awareness into the school system," she said.

McDevitt noted that breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is a necessity. "Parents and other adults engaging with youth need to become comfortable with uncomfortable conversations and situations when it comes to their children's mental health," she said.