Data from the U.S. #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention shows that the “proportion of emergency department visits related to #mentalhealthcrises has increased dramatically for young #children and #adolescents since the #pandemic started,” according to Education Week. Metro Creative

By Kylee Mullikin

ANDERSON — The American Academy of Pediatrics, among other organizations, now considers children’s mentalhealth a national emergency.

On top of daily challenges #children face, the #COVID-19 #pandemic also contributed to children’s #mentalhealthissues.

“Young people have endured so much throughout this #pandemic and while much of the attention is often placed on its physical health consequences, we cannot overlook the escalating #mentalhealthcrisis facing our #patients,” AAP President Lee Savio Beers said in an October AAP article. “Today’s declaration is an urgent call to policymakers at all levels of government — we must treat this #mentalhealthcrisis like the emergency it is.”

Before the #pandemic, rates of #mentalhealth diagnosis as well as #suicide rates among young people had been steadily increasing. In 2018, #suicide was the No. 1 cause of death for people 10-24.

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

The #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention found that from March to October 2020, #mentalhealth emergency visits increased by 24% in kids 5-11 and 31% in youngsters 12-17.

Declaring children’s #mentalhealth a national emergency allows for more attention to be brought to this issue.

“We have the opportunity to get information out to #parents to help them to be aware of what may be happening with their #children and when it’s time to seek help,” said Jennie Voelker, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical director of Youth Services with Community Health Network.

One way to help children’s #mentalhealth is by letting them express themselves. This not only includes talking to someone about their feelings but letting them play, make art, write or anything else that they enjoy doing.

Voelker also wants #parents and guardians to remember that they are the role model for their #children.

“If #adults are taking care of themselves when they’re struggling with #stress and emotional health, then their #children will see that,” Voelker said. “They will learn from that, and they will model after that.”

In #children, changes in mood or #behavior can be helpful indicators. Increased or decreased expression of emotions can be an indicator a #child is struggling. Another indicator is if a #child suddenly loses interest in things normally enjoyed.

Voelker also mentioned that the use of #alcohol or #drugs can sometimes be a sign that a child is struggling mentally.

“I really do believe that #parents are the experts on their #children, so if your gut tells you something’s not right, that’s the time to be checking in,” Voelker said.

If any #child or teenage talks about #suicide, it is critical that they be taken seriously.

“That is a time to really seek help, and there are options out there. There are lots of 24-hour call lines (and) text lines that we can get help from.”

The #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline is a 24-hour call line that can be reached at 800-273-8255. One can also text IN to 741741, a 24-hour text help line.

Follow Kylee Mullikin on Twitter @kyleemullikinhb or call 765-640-4250.

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