August 17, 2021|Mental Health

The Government of Alberta recently dedicated $7.3 million to youth mental health to be spent over the course of three years, expanding the network of programs and support available to young people in our province.

This investment in child and adolescent mental health will have far-reaching impacts, making it easier for youth across Alberta to access specialized, integrated services tailored to their unique emotional and psychological needs.

While these funds are a major step in the right direction, they’re also long overdue and will, undoubtedly, be opposed by a large number of Albertans (as is expected with any major government expenditure). 

So, why has it taken so long for youth mental health to be prioritized by provincial and federal administrations? Why haven’t our leaders been proactively fighting for youth experiencing mental illness?

It’s likely due to the same reason child and adolescent mental health issues remain so prevalent: misinformation.

There are a lot of misconceptions about youth mental health and the effects of these misconceptions can be seen at every level of society— whether it’s in our own homes, in our educational institutions, or within our government agencies, laws, and financial budgets.

To truly begin understanding youth mental health, we must first demystify these beliefs and focus on the facts. Here’s what you need to know:

5 Common Misconceptions About Youth Mental Health

“Therapy for kids is a waste of time and money. They’ll grow out of it.”

This belief is not only inaccurate, it also has the potential to be quite dangerous. We must remember that Canada’s youth suicide rate is the third highest in the industrialized world, and that hindering a child’s ability to access support can exacerbate suffering and lead to hospitization or even death.

It’s also important to remember there are many non-profit organizations that offer affordable programs and services, as well as psychologists who offer sliding scale payment options for low-income families. You can find a psychologist that aligns with your financial needs using www.psychologytoday.com. 

Do not dismiss how your child is feeling or wait for their symptoms to pass. Youth experiencing mental illness are at an increased risk for suicide, self-harm, addiction, and a host of other (more serious) conditions.

“Children and teens don’t have anything to be depressed about.”

Of all the misconceptions about youth mental health, this one is particularly harmful. Many adults convince themselves children don’t actually have “real problems” or experience hardships worth stressing about— a perspective that further perpetuates stigma and shame amongst youth.

This is absolutely untrue, of course. The American Psychological Association (APA) periodically conducts surveys for stress in the American public, and their studies have shown that since 2013, teens have had higher levels of stress than adults.

Another study conducted by San Diego State University showed that between 2005 and 2017, teens and young adults experienced a significant rise in serious psychological distress, major depression, and suicide.

We know that school demands, dating, peer pressure, family violence, divorce, sexual identity, and a wide range of other factors all contribute to intense feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in young people.

“It’s just normal teenage hormones. It will pass.”

There’s no denying that hormones play a role in the moodiness a vast majority of teenagers experience— but they are absolutely not the cause of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.

The best way to determine the cause of your child’s behavior is to focus on three key criteria:

• Duration (How long the behavior lasts)
• Domains (How many areas of your child’s life are affected by the behavior)
• Severity (How intense your child’s moods or behaviors are at any given time)

If you notice your child is exceptionally sad, angry, irritable, etc, for extended periods of time and that their mood is impacting school performance, their interest in activities they once enjoyed, or their motivation to socialize, it is best to consult with a professional.

“My child is just lazy, selfish, moody, etc . They need to get their act together.”

Most children are not inherently difficult to deal with. In the overwhelming majority of cases, there is an underlying explanation for a child’s “problematic” behavior. 

For instance, did you know that a study by Dr. Amy Roy of Fordham University found that 75 per cent of children who experience severe temper outbursts also fit the criteria for ADHD?

We must be careful not to disregard a child’s behavior, no matter how unpleasant or inconvenient it may be. More often than not, this behavior is a warning sign and can be addressed with proper professional support and treatment.

“I’m a good parent. I would be able to tell if my child had a mental health problem.”

Yes, even engaged, loving parents can fall victim to misconceptions about youth mental health, and this is one of the top examples. It’s quite common for these parents to assume they know everything about their child, or to believe their child isn’t susceptible to mental illness because they’ve been raised in a positive, healthy environment.

Unfortunately, however, that isn’t how mental illness works. A family history of mental illness, impaired brain chemistry, and traumatic experiences (which may be unknown to parents or caregivers) can all result in youth mental health issues.

Remember, even parents are human— it’s impossible to get it right 100% of the time. What matters is that you are there for your child and that you encourage their healing process, whatever that might entail.

Why Youth Mental Health Matters

• 21 per cent of low-income children and youth ages 6 to 17 have mental health disorders. (Source)
  
• Approximately 70 per cent of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder. (Source)
  
• In 2016 alone, 487 individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 died by suicide in Canada. (Source)
  
• The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that 3.2 million young adults between 12 to 19 years olds are at risk of developing depression. (Source)
  
• 1 in 5 Canadian children and youth (aged 15-20) has experienced cyberstalking, cyberbullying, or both. (Source)

How Adults Can Make a Difference

There are several ways adults can support youth experiencing mental illness. Below are a few of our recommended strategies.

Connect With Casa (If You Live in Edmonton)

CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health is a non-profit organization with over 20 programs and services tailored to specific children’s mental health issues. They treat approximately 4,300 kids each year – from newborn through 18 years.

Click here to learn more about their programs.

Seek Out Information

There are many resources available online to help you engage and positively parent your child. I personally recommend this FREE guide from mentalhealthliteracy.org. 

Encourage Your Child to Communicate

Provide them with access to support and resources, and remind them they are never alone. You want your child to speak up, even if they are uncomfortable speaking with you or someone they know.

Youth can now text Kids Help Phone by sending the word text CONNECT to 686868.

They may be more comfortable with this form of communication, and you benefit from the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is speaking to a trained, informed professional.