From the Schools to the Taphouse: How Professionals Come Together for Mental Health

Teenage mental health remains a persistent issue among today’s youth, but thankfully organizations and professionals are working hard to end the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that adolescents have access to the resources they need. 

According to the World Health Organization, it’s estimated that 14% of adolescents from ages 10-19 experience mental health problems. This age range tends to be particularly vulnerable for youth because of the physical and social changes they face, which can make them prone to anxiety and depression.

The World Health Organization reports that for young adults and adolescents aged 15-29, suicide is the 4th leading cause of death. Organizations in the Chesapeake area, like Burgers and Bands, are working hard to prevent suicide, encourage candid discussions, and raise funds for initiatives that can save lives. 

Burgers and Bands isn’t the only group working to help adolescents fight mental illness.  Professionals everywhere have begun recognizing signs of mental health problems and creating new solutions.  

Lisa Luse is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Maryland with a Master’s in Social Work. She focuses on adolescents and families in various ways, and has specialized knowledge regarding eating disorders. 

Since the pandemic, Luse says clinicians everywhere believe mental health has gotten “So much worse…We were talking so much as therapists about the lack of connections due to the pandemic and the lack of structure.” Luse explains that for adolescents, structure in their daily lives is extremely important, and even though schools have gone back to in-person learning, there have been significant residual effects.   

It hasn’t been all bad though. Luse says that since the pandemic, “There’s been a great push to change the culture in our society…A lot of schools look at how they can make sure there’s no bullying or racism, and that there are LGBTQ resources. Where there are those resources available, kids have rebounded much better.”

In schools without those resources, Luse says she sees kids and teenagers “Operating the same as they were during the pandemic because they are feeling really isolated.” Schools that are thriving tend to provide resources and promote awareness surrounding drug and alcohol use. Many schools operate differently, and what resources are available can depend a lot on the specific administration and staff that are working there. 

Maria Prete, a certified teacher, is grateful that her elementary school has made strides in helping students, “in our school, we have a Social-Emotional Learning Coach, and in the past couple of years, we’ve given students lessons in social-emotional learning” that are designed to help students with social interactions. 

When it comes to helping kids with mental health problems, Prete feels like there is more emphasis on making sure students’ mental health is being considered. If a teacher feels concerned, there’s a variety of steps they may take. Depending on what the teachers notice, Prete explains, “a teacher may talk to the child” or with the school’s social worker and psychologist to “develop a strategy to help the student.” 

Often, teachers will connect with other staff and the parents to see if a behavior is occurring outside of the classroom, which can help staff better understand the situation. Prete wants to make it clear, “We aren’t clinicians; we can’t diagnose. But we can let parents know what we are observing.” Teachers will frequently suggest parents take their child to a pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis and to ensure that the student is getting any additional help they need. 

On the procedural side, Luse says most patients come to her from parents or pediatric referrals. Kids and teenagers will often feel uncomfortable talking to their parents but may open up more to a pediatrician. A lot of pediatricians “know what questions to ask and know what to look for” which makes them a great resource for any concerned parent.

Luse recommends parents can reach out to their pediatrician or a mental health professional if they have any concerns, as well as the school to see what resources may be available there.

Luse’s advice to parents is to “Regularly talk to your kids about mental health and show that you, as a parent, have emotions too.” Luse also stressed that it’s important for parents to step back and listen: “Teenagers love being heard, but they don’t like getting advice from their parents.” Luse suggests parents keep an eye on behavioral changes and be curious with their kids, all while validating their adolescent’s experience and interests.  

A great way to start the conversation? 

Check out Bands and Burger’s upcoming event at Severna Park Taphouse for suicide prevention. The event will feature more than 20 bands and aims to show adolescents that they aren’t alone on their mental health journey. 

By Abby Grifno