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Roxanne Rapaport » Mental Health

Mental Health

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”
- Fred Rogers
 
A person's physical health changes over the course of their lifetime. We're all bound to wake up some days and feel under the weather--sometimes a little, and sometimes a lot. We know too that some people experience health conditions that mean they will need types of support and care that other people do not depend on. If we are blessed with the gift of old age, we will most certainly experience significant changes to our health. 
 
The health of our minds (our "mental health") is much the same. We all go through changes to the state of our emotional and psychological wellbeing. "Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood" (CDC, About Mental Health). Just as we experience physical illness, sometimes we experience "mental illness." When mental illness impacts a person's ability to function and enjoy life, it's important to remember that this is not about who they are as a person, and that it is possible to move through these experiences. No one is ever truly alone--we hurt and we heal together. 
 
For children and adults alike, the first step out of a place that can feel stuck and scary is feeling safe enough to share with someone what is on your heart and mind, no matter how hard it is to talk about. As a caregiver, the more you model this kind of vulnerability, the easier it will be for your child to emulate. When we connect in love and safety, we create a powerful ripple effect into the other relationships of our lives.
 
The following video is made for kids, and can be a great starting place to have a conversation about how we talk about our feelings:
 
The rest of page is primarily for parents and caregivers to learn some fast facts about some of the most common mental health challenges. Please keep in mind that online resources (websites, social media posts, podcasts, etc.) are just a starting point--if you are concerned about the mental health of your child, yourself, or someone else you love, start a conversation with a trusted doctor or mental health professional.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a National Catholic Mental Health Campaign in October, 2023. Their introductory statement begins,
 
"Although mental illness is a pervasive and common aspect of human life, there is an alarming shortage of mental and behavioral health resources and providers. Furthermore, over the last decade, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an alarming increase in depression and suicidal tendencies, especially among young people. Despite its ubiquity, mental illness and mental health challenges often remain associated with embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which can prevent people from seeking and receiving help.
 
Such a stigma contradicts the compassion of Jesus and is contrary to the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching. As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope."
 
The statement goes on to highlight some of the current data we have on mental health in the United States. Notably:
 
  • The majority (60-85%) of Americans experience mental illness at some point in their lives, yet stigma about mental illness still remains the most significant barrier to treatment.
  • Among high schoolers, CDC data "show that nearly all indicators of poor mental health... increased over the past decade. In 2021, 42% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, up from 28% a decade earlier; 22% seriously considered attempting suicide, up from 16%; and 18% made a suicide plan, up from 13%."
  • Populations of high school students experiencing disproportionately high rates of attempted suicide and persistent feelings of hopelessness include girls, students who identify as "LGBT+," and students of color. 
 
The time is now to come together in a spirit of hope and healing. Yes, we live in a time of great pain and suffering and the barriers to accessing help are real, and also: no one suffers alone, and change is always possible. Educating ourselves about mental health and the resources available to seeking help is critical. The links below represent just a small fraction of the information and resources out there, whether you are seeking support for a student or yourself.
Anxiety is our body's natural reaction to a stressful experience. It serves an important function, motivating us to take action when we feel under threat. However, anxiety can interfere with quality of life when the anxious symptoms persist after the stressful event itself has passed. An "anxiety disorder" refers to symptoms that stick around and interfere with a person's quality of life. A disorder is NOT a statement about who someone is as a person!
 
Both adults and children can experience anxiety. Anxiety in children can present as the following (summarized from Child Mind Institute):
 
  • Worrying a lot, about something specific or in general
  • Physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, sweating and racing heart)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Disruptive behavior (lashing out, having tantrums)
  • Clinging to parents or caregivers
  • Being hard on themselves 
 
The first step in helping to address anxiety (in your child, yourself, or in anyone!) is to get curious and observe. What symptoms are you noticing? How long have they been going on? What leads up to them? Is there anything that helps the anxiety go away? What is your child reporting to you about how they feel? If you feel concern, don't hesitate to speak with your child's pediatrician.
 
For more information about anxiety, check out:
As is true with anxiety, it's normal for children and teens to experience symptoms of depression from time to time. However, when those symptoms last more than two weeks and prevent them from living a full and joyful life (in and outside of school), a clinical diagnosis of depression may be warranted. Clinicians differentiate between several types of depression, but in general, symptoms in children and teenagers may include (from Child Mind Institute):
 
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Lacking energy or being tired all the time
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Poor performance or poor attendance at school
  • Low self-esteem or saying negative things about themselves
  • Eating too little or too much
  • Gaining or losing a lot of weight
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Thinking about or attempting suicide
 
Depression is more common for teens than younger children, and girls are diagnosed twice as often as boys. If you notice a pattern or change in your child's behavior that concerns you, speak with your pediatrician. 
 
For more information on depression, check out:
Talking about suicide can be difficult, especially as it relates to children and teenagers. Sometimes people think that talking about suicide may lead to or encourage suicide attempts--this is NOT true. "Talking about suicide not only reduces the stigma, but also allows individuals to seek help, rethink their opinions and share their story with others. We all need to talk more about suicide" (NAMI, 2020). 
 
Here are some facts about youth suicide in this country, from the CDC:
  • In 2021, 9% of high school students reported having attempted suicide in the last 12 months. Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native youth were the most at-risk group.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24. 
  • Girls are more than twice as likely as boys to attempt suicide. 
  • Suicide rates of youth ages 10-24 went up by 52% from 2000 to 2021.
 
If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one, seek help immediately. Call or text the national Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 for free assistance available 24/7/365.