Essay on "Helping Teenagers With Mental Health"

Essay 9 pages (3015 words) Sources: 9

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Enabling and empowering adolescents with the coping skills to de-stigmatize mental illness not only among teenagers, but also among their families, is another avenue for reducing the stigma associated with this health issue. There is empirical evidence that buttresses this statement, and which finds that when adolescents whose family members are exposed (in a structured, positive environment) to others in this same situation, that they "made connections with others in the program, developed personal strengths, and learned how to contribute to others' well being" (Foster et al., 2014, p. 61). The ramifications of such a statement are that adolescents can bond over this point of commonality, and through that bonding come to understand some of the realities of mental illness while eschewing its stigmatization.

What is interesting about this piece of evidence is that it involved a qualitative research in the form of personal interviews of adolescents who were in a camp that was helping them to deal with the issues that accompanied living with family members who had mental health problems. In this sort of environment, the adolescents were able to interact with one another freely while knowing that each and every one of them was experiencing some variation of what the others were experiencing. Granted, this particular study was purposefully small and only included interview with 14 participants in the camp. Moreover, the environment in which these individuals interacted with one another was decidedly closed and one in which everyone knew the others were dealing with family members with mental illnesses. Despite these limitations, the study found that it greatly relieved and improved the outcome of the adolescents to simply know that there were others going through what they were going through (Foster et al., 2014, p. 63) -- which is the whole basis of the approach documented in the present research paper. Moreover, those results indicated that adolescents felt they gained a significant degree of coping skills simply from interacting with others and discussing various aspects of the consequences of living with family members with mental illnesses. Finally, the results showed that these teens felt empowered to help others who were going through something similar simply by interacting with one another (Foster et al., 2014, p. 64). Nonetheless, one must acknowledge the inherent bias in the way that the interview format could have predicted answers that emphasized the positivity of the camp. But these limitations and the previously mentioned ones do not lessen the fact that in each of the pieces of evidence reviewed in the present document thus far, there has been a positive correlation between peer support and the coping/de-stigmatization of issues of mental health for teenagers.

Another point of conviction that corroborates the notion that reducing the stigmatization of mental health illness can improve the treatment of those suffering from these various disorders in adolescence pertains to actually seeking treatment. Quite often, issues of mental health go unidentified in adolescents despite the fact that the prevalence of these disorders is increasing (Spooner and Martinovich, 2014, p. 217). Or, when these issues are identified, frequently it comes after some sort of noxious act. These acts might include instances of violence or other offenses which can result in incarceration (Spooner and Martinovich, 2014, p. 17). The implications of these facts are that due in part to the stigma associated with mental illness in adolescence, behavior that might reflect these illnesses is dismissed simply as a part of adolescence or as acts of volition on the part of the individual committing them. However, if there was a decreased sense of stigma about these issues, or if that stigma was altogether eradicated, one can infer that abnormal behavior would be more readily identifiable as possibly stemming from mental health issues. Subsequently, adolescents who engaged in the aforementioned behavior (such as "conduct disorder") (Spooner and Martinovich, 2014, p. 17) could get diagnosed quicker and seek the help they need prior to committing some regrettable offense.

Another piece of evidence that attests to the efficacy for treating mental disorders in adolescents by reducing the stigmatization associated with these condition pertains to the nature of stigma itself among this population. In many ways, the conception of marijuana and cannabis use amongst adolescents is the opposite of the stigma attached to mental disorders among this audience; other than alcohol and cigarette use, the use of cannabis is one of the most frequently used means of adolescents 'getting high' (Serafini et al., 2013, p. 125). Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and consuming marijuana is a triad of the most time honored -- and highly revered -- forms of intoxication that help to constitute the notion of what is regarded as 'partying'. Conversely, mental health issues have as much negativity attached to their stigma as there is a perception of fun and recreation associated with the aforementioned recreational drugs. However, there is academic literature that reveals that aside from its recreational use, the employment of cannabis (especially regularly) functions as both a crutch and a means of coping for individuals who are possibly suffering from mental disorders (Serafini et al., 2013, p. 2). Were it possible to get teens to de-stigmatize mental health issues, there is the possibility that they could help discern them in repeated or prolonged marijuana use -- and help those individuals get the mental health that they need.

From an ethical perspective, it largely appears that having teenagers disassociate the present stigma attached to mental health issues so that they can assist others to get the treatment they need faster and make it more effective is advantageous. Possibly the only negative associated with this thesis is that adolescence is filled with a time of irresponsibility. Viewed from this stance, teenagers might not be the most effective means of helping one another because they are irresponsible. Nonetheless, no one can deny the fact that adolescents are a definite support mechanism for one another. Quite simply, they keep one another's company, and this sort of relationship that exists between teenagers and friends can certainly assist the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues were they de-stigmatized. Having such a resource for improving and possibly saving the lives of teens in need and not utilizing this sort of peer-based support and response would be unethical. Moreover, the ethics of this situation is readily reinforced by the fact that the perfect place to de-stigmatize mental health issues is in schools. Middle schools and high schools typically have some sort of health education class or program, which could readily shift to incorporate a patented de-stigmatization of mental health issues. In public schools, state funding already dedicated to health issues could help to discourage the stigma associated with mental health.

In summary, mental health issues are prevalent and increasing in prevalence among adolescents. There is a considerable stigma attached to these issues which results in a lack of treatment, a lack of efficacy in treatment, and hostility towards patients (Elias, 2014, p. 35). Eliminating such a stigma, therefore, could help to improve both of these factors. There is a study in which a peer-based approach has helped to reduce the stigma associated with these orders. Additional studies indicate that merely the incorporation of statements (and not necessarily a whole class) can help to de-stigmatize mental health issues for teens, while helping to eliminate the stigma associated with these issues can act as a viable point of bonding amongst teenagers. Moreover, eradicating this stigma can function as a means of prevention and help youths get treatment sooner, while a reduction of stigmatization can help teens identify other behavior (such as prolonged, recreational drug use) as indicative of mental health issues and further spur treatment.

References

Bulanda, J.J., Bruhn, C., Byro-Johnson, T., Zentmyer, M. (2014). Addressing mental health stigma among young adolescents: evaluation of a youth-led approach. Health & Social Work. 39(2), 73-80.

Elias, M. (2014). The Shame Game dispelling stigma allows young people to get the mental health support they need. Education Digest. 79(5): 35-38.

Foster, K., Lewis, P., McCloughen, A. (2014). Experiences of peer support for children and adolescents whose parents and siblings have mental illness. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. 50(2): 216-220.

Ross, A.M., Hart, L.M., Jorm, A.F., Kelly, C.M., Kitchener, B.A. (2012). Development of key messages for adolescents on providing basic mental health first aid to peers: a Delphi consensus study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. 6(3): 229-238.

Serafini, G. Paupili, M., Temple, E.C., Innamorati, M., Amore, M., Borgwardt, S., Girardi, P. (2013). The association between cannabis use, mental illness and suicidal behavior: what is the role of hopelessness? Frontiers in Psychiatry. 4(125) 1-5.

Spooner, M., Martinovich, Z. (2014). Shifting the odds of lifelong mental illness through an understanding of the profiles of adolescents and young adults with serious mental health conditions. Community Mental Health Journal. 50(2), 216-220.

Tempeelar, W., Otjes, C., Bun, C., Plevier, C., van Gastel, W., MacCabe, J., Kahn, R., Boks, M. (2014). Delayed school progression and… READ MORE

How to Reference "Helping Teenagers With Mental Health" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

School-Based Mental Health Program on Emotional Intelligence Research Proposal

school-based mental health program on emotional intelligence, social behaviors, psychopathology and academic performance of inner- city [at -risk / African-American] adolescents

The need for school-based mental health programs in inner-city… read more

Research Proposal 25 pages (8166 words) Sources: 60 Style: APA Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

Mental Retardation This Work Examines the Case Term Paper

Mental Retardation

This work examines the case study of a Taiwanese Family in which one of the children, Po-Sheng, 23 years of age, has mild mental retardation. This family is… read more

Term Paper 23 pages (6188 words) Sources: 65 Style: APA Topic: Family / Dating / Marriage

---

State Children's Health Insurance Plan Term Paper

Children's Health Insurance Plans

Regardless of one's political affiliation, it is hard to deny the fact that America is currently experiencing a tremendous healthcare crisis. Many Americans simply cannot afford… read more

Term Paper 30 pages (8370 words) Sources: 15 Style: APA Topic: Healthcare / Health / Obamacare

---

Mental and Physical Health Effects of Internet Use Among Young Adults Term Paper

addictive use of the internet is not necessarily a new phenomenon, however practitioners are unware of the actual negative implications of physical and mental addiction that comes with internet use.… read more

Term Paper 16 pages (4339 words) Sources: 15 Style: APA Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Function of Theory in Nursing Practice Annotated Bibliography

function of theory in nursing practice.

Margaret Newman and the non-nursing theory of James Fowler, which has been adopted in approaches and teachings in nursing.

Margaret Newman

Theory of Health… read more

Annotated Bibliography 8 pages (2840 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Nursing / Doctor / Physician

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>