In this lesson, #students will learn about the factors that may be contributing to a decline in #mentalhealth among #teenagers and discuss what can be done to address it.

M, who has a diagnosis of #depression, has found some joy in walking in the forest near home.

By Natalie Proulx

Please note: This lesson is part of a larger unit on #mentalhealth, which also includes a writing prompt, a film and a graph discussion. #Teachers, please preview these resources to make sure they are appropriate for your #students.

#Students, if you are having thoughts of #suicide, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK), call 911, go to the emergency room, get help from an #adult or go to speakingofsuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Go here for resources outside the #UnitedStates.

Lesson Overview

Featured Article: “‘It’s Life or Death’: The #MentalHealthCrisis Among U.S. #Teens” by Matt Richtel, Photographs by Annie Flanagan

“#American #adolescence is undergoing a drastic change,” Matt Richtel writes. “Three decades ago, the gravest public health threats to #teenagers in the #UnitedStates came from binge drinking, drunken driving, #teenage pregnancy and smoking. These have since fallen sharply, replaced by a new public health concern: soaring rates of #mentalhealthdisorders.”

Mr. Richtel spent more than a year interviewing #teenagers, their families and #mentalhealth and #childhood development experts about the #mentalhealthcrisis among #adolescents that numerous hospital and #doctor groups have called “a national emergency.” The result is a multipart Times project called “The Inner #Pandemic.”

In this lesson, you’ll read the main article from the project that reports on the crisis through the story of one 13-year-old named M. Then we invite you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings about the state of #mentalhealth in #teenagers today and put together an emotional wellness tool kit for when you are struggling.

Warm-Up

When it comes to your #mentalhealth, how are you doing? Take a few minutes to write privately about how you have been feeling — mentally and emotionally — lately.

Next, look carefully at these graphs, which were created based on data, gathered by the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention, from extensive surveys of more than 10,000 U. S. #highschoolstudents from public and private #schools across the country.

#CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention #HighSchool #Youth Risk #Behavior Survey

Then, reflect on your own in writing, or discuss with your classmates:

- What do you notice in these graphs? What do you wonder?

- Taken together, what story do these graphs tell about #mentalhealth among #adolescents today?

- Do these graphs reflect your own experience or that of your peers? Do any of them surprise you?

- What do you think are some possible explanations for this data?

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read the article, then answer the questions below.

(Note to #teachers: If you’re doing this in a classroom context, you might jigsaw this article. All #students should read and respond to the questions for Section 1. Then assign individuals or small groups to read each of the other three sections and answer the corresponding questions.)

Section 1: Introduction

1. The article says, “In December, in a rare public advisory, the U.S. surgeon general warned of a ‘devastating’ #mentalhealthcrisis among #adolescents.” What are two pieces of evidence in the introduction that demonstrate that #mentalhealth among #adolescents is a national crisis? Do you agree with this assessment?

2. What questions does this decline in #mentalhealth raise for you?

Section 2: ‘A typical outpatient’

3. The age of puberty onset has dropped markedly over the last century. How might this shift be contributing to the #adolescent #mentalhealthcrisis, according to experts?

4. What are at least four ways #adolescence is different today than in past generations? How do experts explain these changes? What do you think are some possible explanations? What questions do you have?

Section 3: ‘A virtual crush’ and ‘Elaniv’

5. Emily Pluhar, a child and #adolescent #psychologist at Harvard, said that “the challenge and the progress” of modern #adolescence “is there are so many types of identity.” In what ways might having so many choices be progress? In what ways might it be a challenge?

6. The article says, “Health experts note that, for all its weight, the #adolescent crisis at least is unfolding in a more accepting environment.” Do you agree that people today are more accepting of #mentalhealthchallenges? Give an example from the article, or from your own experience, to support your opinion.

7. Experts say a rise in #loneliness is a key factor of declining #mentalhealth. Why do you think #teenagers today are lonely? Do you agree with Bonnie Nagel, a #psychologist at the Oregon Health & Science University, who believes that #socialmedia is part of the problem?

Section 4: ‘The #pandemic factor’ and ‘Into the forest’

8. The article tells the story of the #mentalhealthcrisis through M, a 13-year-old who has experienced severe #depression, self-harm and a #suicideattempt. Why do you think the author chose to write the article this way? How does M’s story help us better understand what young people today are going through as well as what might help them? Do you relate to any part of M’s experience?

9. Media Literacy: At the end of the article, there is a note about how the reporter, Mr. Richtel, spoke with #adolescents and #parents for this series. Why did he approach this story differently than he might have other stories? Do you think The Times made the right choice in granting these young people anonymity, given the paper’s high bar for that?

#James Donaldson 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/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Going Further

Option 1: Discuss and reflect.

On your own in writing, or in discussion with your classmates, respond to the following questions. (If you read this in a jigsaw format, form a small group with #students who read the sections you didn’t to share what you learned.):

- What are the factors that may be contributing to the #mentalhealthcrisis among #teenagers, according to the article? Are there any other factors that you think are missing? If the reporter were to interview you and your classmates, what additional insights would you offer?

- Overall, how accurate a picture do you think this article gives about the state of #mentalhealth among young people today? What in the article resonated with your experience? Is there anything you disagreed with? What questions do you still have?

- How do you cope with #anxiety, #stress and other challenges? What practices or habits help improve your #mentalhealth?

- What do you think #adults in power, like politicians and #school administrators, should do to address the #mentalhealthcrisis among young people?

You can share your thoughts and read other #teenagers’ responses to these questions and more on our related writing prompt.

Worried Sick: A Journey Into the Anxious #Teenage Mind Why are so many #American #teenagers feeling anxious, depressed and even suicidal? Our video looks at the science behind the #teen #mentalhealthcrisis.

“Worried Sick: A Journey Into the Anxious #Teenage Mind” is a 15-minute film that delves into the science behind the crisis: Why are #depression, #self-harm and #suicide rising among #American #adolescents? What role do factors like #socialmedia, the early onset of puberty and the #coronavirus #pandemic play in this crisis? What can be done to address it?

Watch the film and then participate in our Film Club to discuss with other #teenagers the emotions, messages and ideas that you took away from the documentary.

Option 3: Create a #mentalhealth tool kit.

Learning about the #teenage #mentalhealthcrisis can feel overwhelming. But it’s important to remember, experts say, that #suicide is preventable, and #mentalhealthdisorders, such as #self-harm, #depression and #anxiety, are treatable.

How can you help keep yourself mentally healthy? How can you be prepared if you notice you are struggling and need help? Try creating a #mentalhealth tool kit that includes coping strategies, links to #mentalhealthresources and a list of #adults you feel comfortable talking to. You might make a kit just for yourself or crowdsource ideas with your class that could help many #students.

Here are some ideas, along with Times articles where you can find more information:

For coping mechanisms you can use in the moment, check out these articles for ideas on how to handle #anxiety, #stress, anger, sadness and more:

- How to Help #Teens Struggling With #MentalHealth

- Dear #Teenagers, Here’s How to Protect Your Emotional Well-Being

- How to Help #Teens Weather Their Emotional Storms

- #Teenagers, #Anxiety Can Be Your Friend

- How to Help #Teenagers Embrace #Stress

- How #Teens Use Downtime to Connect, Distract or Reflect

For strategies that can keep you mentally healthy, like getting enough sleep, meditating or exercising, here are a few resources:

- How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

- How to Be Happy

- 7 Guided Meditations for Uncertain Times

- Really, Really Short Workouts

- This Year, Try Spring Cleaning Your Brain

Here are some people and places you might turn to when you are in crisis. Include names and contact information for each.

- An adult you trust and feel comfortable talking to, such as a #parent, family member, friend or #teacher.

- Your school’s #nurse, #counselor or #socialworker.

- Your #therapist or #doctor.

- Resources and help lines you can call or text when you are in crisis. You can find a list at SpeakingofSuicide.com/resources. The #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness has information on other types of #mentalhealthcrisis services.
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-lesson-of-the-day-its-life-or-death-the-mentalhealthcrisis-among-u-s-teens/