Adolescent Stress and Self-regulation

This guide released by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child focuses on the “window of opportunity” to develop executive function skills during adolescence. The 4-page guide describes five skills crucial for self-regulation and healthy adulthood, tips for helping young people build core skills, and the impact of stress on their development. Finally, the guide highlights five ways that programs can reduce stress (and thus, boost executive functioning) through thoughtful program design.

Download the guide here: 
https://46y5eh11fhgw3ve3ytpwxt9r-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HCDC_BuildingAdolescentCoreLifeSkills.pdf

Guide to Navigating Mental Health Crises

Mental health emergencies can be unpredictable and challenging for those who experience them and those who act as supports. This online guide from National Alliance on Mental Illness describes warning signs; do’s and don’ts for responding to crises in the moment; what to expect from law enforcement and other responders; and practical tips for preparing ahead of time. RHY providers can use the guide to educate staff, community members, and youth and families about navigating mental health crises.

Portable Treatment Record forms and informational posters are also available for here: 
https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Guides/Navigating-a-Mental-Health-Crisis

Why Providers Should Screen Youth for Cyberbullying

A systematic review of data on 150,000 young people in 30 countries over a 21-year period indicates that involvement in cyberbullying significantly raises the risk of suicide. Victims of cyberbullying were found to be more than twice as likely to self-harm or attempt suicide, and male perpetrators of cyberbullying were also at increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation. RHY providers should consider routinely screening youth for cyberbullying involvement; assessing youth who disclose cyberbullying experiences for mental health problems; and finding nonjudgmental ways to address the needs of perpetrators as well as victims.

Learn more about this 2018 study here: 
https://www-2018.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/news-archive/2018/youngvictimsofcyberbullyingtwiceaslikelytoattemptsuicideandself-harmstudyfinds.php

Suicide Rising Across the US: More Than a Mental Health Concern

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the US. Suicide rates increased in nearly every state from 1999 through 2016. Mental health conditions are often seen as the cause of suicide, but suicide is rarely caused by any single factor. In fact, many people who die by suicide are not known to have a diagnosed mental health condition at the time of death. Other problems often contribute to suicide, such as those related to relationships, substance use, physical health, and job, money, legal, or housing stress. Making sure government, public health, healthcare, employers, education, the media and community organizations are working together is important for preventing suicide. Public health departments can bring together these partners to focus on comprehensive state and community efforts with the greatest likelihood of preventing suicide.

Resources

• CDC Vital Signs: Suicide rising across the US
• National Health Care for the Homeless have a recent Fact Sheet on the data trends in suicide among homeless populations.
• Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices is a tool health departments can use to work with communities to establish suicide prevention program.
• Addressing Veteran Homelessness to Prevent Veteran Suicides
• Recent article on vets, homelessness and suicide risk found.  Veterans with a history of homelessness attempted suicide in the previous two years at a rate >5.0 times higher compared with veterans without a history of homelessness (6.9% versus 1.2%). That article can be found here. 
• Recent poster presentation (1/12/18) at the Society for Social Work and Research Conference.  It’s titled, “Why Do Homeless People Commit Suicide?: Analysis of Mental Health and Substance Use As Risk Factors”.  The presentation abstract can be found here.

Internet-based Mental Health Screenings Can Reach Large Numbers of Youth

A new study published in Academic Pediatrics that examined results from nearly 30,000 internet-based responses to the Pediatric Symptom Checklist Youth Form suggests that large numbers of youth seek mental health information online, and that free, brief online screenings can effectively identify youth at high risk for behavioral health problems. Of the 77% of young people who scored positively for risk via self-screening, two-thirds reported an intention to seek help, including 10% interested in professional treatment. The full study and will help you learn how online validated screenings may increase treatment access for large numbers of young people needing mental health support.

Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876285917304783