Nationally we’ve been enduring a children’s mental health crisis for quite some time now.
As of mid-2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP), American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and Children’s Hospital Association officially declared children’s mental health a national emergency, referencing the Pandemic as serious support to the crisis.
These organizations are urging policymakers to incite change by bringing the severity of children’s mental health to the forefront of issues.
However, declaring a national mental health emergency for children may seem overdue for a good reason.
Over the past few decades, children’s mental health outcomes have already declined. According to the AAP, “By 2018, suicide was the second leading cause of death for youths ages 10-24 years”( 2021, para.2). In addition, the pandemic has exacerbated the mental health care inequities within communities of color.
The AAP seeks several suggested solutions for policymakers to aid in the crisis and change adolescent mental health outcomes for the better. I will list these below.
- Increase federal funding to ensure all families can access mental health services.
- Improve access to telemedicine.
- Support effective models of school-based mental health care.
- Accelerate integration of mental health care in primary care pediatrics.
- Strengthen efforts to reduce the risk of suicide in children and adolescents.
- Address ongoing challenges of the acute care needs of children and adolescents.
- Fully fund community-based systems of care that connect families to evidence-based interventions.
- Promote and pay for trauma-informed care services.
- Address workforce challenges and shortages so that children can access mental health services no matter where they live.
- Advance policies that ensure compliance with mental health parity laws.( AAP, 2021, para.11).
While these solutions are aimed toward policymakers, here at Communalift, we want to encourage all those who can be proactive and help out in any way.
Below I will list some ways to help improve mental health outcomes for the youth.
- Donate
One of the easiest and quickest ways to help out is donating to various mental health organizations. Here are some links to donate: https://donate.nami.org/give/197406/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=globalNav&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=DonationTracking&c_src=WEBDG
https://donorbox.org/sistaafya-fund
These organizations are just some of many that work to ensure support for children’s mental health.
- Have Open Communication
When children isolate themselves, it exacerbates the mental health issues that they may be experiencing. Adults should begin by being open and honest with their children, within reason. Create a space for them to be open and comfortable without feeling judged by speaking up about themselves. Ask them about their feelings and reactions to events in the world or at school regularly to stay updated about how their surroundings may negatively influence them.
- Encourage their Passions
When children are involved in something they care about, their brains are less inclined to dwell on the negative and instead focus on making a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others. You can’t make kids passionate about something; it’s something they should be able to find on their own. However, you may encourage them to try new interests or experiment with different hobbies to figure out what they enjoy and stick with. What is the relationship between following your passion and mental health? According to studies, following your passion can improve your mental health by making you less stressed and happier.
- Advocate
There are many ways to advocate to raise awareness and incite change in children’s mental health. You can advocate by attending protests, sending letters to congress, supporting mental health bills(seek my articles on mental health bills and how to help), starting a fundraiser and donating to an organization of your choice, sharing info-graphics or brochures to people, volunteer at a mental health organization, and vote on meta health issues. There are lots more ways to advocate, but you start with these.
- Additional ways to support children’s mental health
- Get your kids outside more
- Encourage more family time if you can
- Try therapy ( if you can afford it)
- Call a lifeline( free mental health counseling over the phone if needed)
- Rethink social media usage( lowering/regulating it)
There are many ways to help improve children’s mental health, especially in times of need. Below I will leave some links to help.
National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
nonprofit that matches middle/ low-income families with affordable mental health services and education.
https://openpathcollective.org/
References
AAP, AACAP, CHA declare national emergency in children’s mental health. Publications.aap.org. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/17718/AAP-AACAP-CHA-declare-national-emergency-in?autologincheck=redirected
Affordable counseling: Affordable therapy: Open path collective. Open Path Psychotherapy Collective. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://openpathcollective.org/
Humanitarian aid for children in crisis. UNICEF USA. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.unicefusa.org/
The Jed Foundation. (2022, May 31). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://jedfoundation.org/
Nami. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://donate.nami.org/give/197406/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=globalNav&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=DonationTracking&c_src=WEBDG
Sista Afya Community Care (Powered by Donorbox). (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://donorbox.org/sistaafya-fund
Zawadzki, M. J., Smyth, J. M., & Costigan, H. J. (n.d.). Real-Time Associations Between Engaging in Leisure and Daily Health and Well-Being. Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.ucmerced.edu/sites/ucmerced.edu/files/documents/zawadzki-paper-2015.pdf
Communalift LLC 