50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. And, 1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health disorder between ages 6-17[1]. Youth.gov provides risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and more about mental health in youth[2]. Despite these stats, there is hope for thriving with mental illness through holistic, collaborative approaches.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the NIMH[3], an adolescent might need help if they:
- Lose interest in activities
- Have difficulty sleeping or eating
- Excessively exercise, diet, and/or binge eat
- Use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
- Have thoughts of suicide
- Have reduced energy
- Spend more time alone
- Harm themselves (e.g., burning or cutting their skin)
- Engage in risky or destructive behavior
- Think their mind is out of their control or hear things other people cannot hear
Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Institutes of Mental Health
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
Additional mental health and substance use disorder education and resources, including Tools to Thrive.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Call 800-273-8255 or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Text TALK to 741741
Conversation guides, social media tools, and resources for patients and providers.
NC-PAL – North Carolina Behavioral Health Consultation Line
NC-PAL is a free telephone consultation and education program to help health care providers address the behavioral health needs of pediatric and perinatal patients.
Providers
Place a referral in Proficient for one of these two behavioral health providers in WKCC’s High Value Specialists (HVS) network:
Mindpath
Best Day Psych
BCBSNC Care Navigators for members: Call 800-755-0798 or place a referral in Blue e
[1] Mental Health By the Numbers | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
[2] Mental Health | Youth.gov
[3] NIMH » Child and Adolescent Mental Health (nih.gov)