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A NOTE FROM DR. CHRISTINE GARCIA
When a Mental Health Day is Not Enough
If you've spent any time reading or watching the news, talking with friends who have children, or spending time with your own, it won't take long for you to learn about the high levels of anxiety that our youth carry today. In an opinion piece written on January 23, 2023, by 17-year-old Quincy Kadin for USA Today, Kadin notes that as many as 32% of teens are challenged with some form of anxiety disorder. In Kadin's case, feelings of anxiety took on many forms, from nausea to stomachaches to heart racing or incessant and seemingly unstoppable worry. At Side by Side, we see youth whose anxiety symptoms range from what Kadin describes as mild irritability to complete meltdowns due to inexplicable experiences of intense fear and physiological or emotional distress.
What can you do if a young person comes to you for help? What if they routinely miss school due to inexplicable headaches or stomachaches? What if their routine has changed, and they avoid places, friends, or activities?
Create a stable base. Talk to your child. Reassure them that you are committed to helping them figure out what is happening to them and that they are not alone.
Then, try to determine whether the cause of their stress is medical by contacting your child's medical team. If, after a visit with the doctor, determines that the issue may be anxiety-related, speak with your child again. See if there may have been a trigger or a series of triggers in recent days, weeks, or months. Are there things that cause them significant concern? Are there things that they don't like thinking about? Reach out to a mental health professional for support if needed.
Anxiety is a tricky beast, often pulling those who experience it from being fully present as their physical and/or emotional distress becomes overwhelming. As parents or caregivers, this is the point when a "mental health day" or "time out" might be helpful. And, if your young person needs to take a moment, this might be the thing to do. However, I encourage you to talk together to see if just a mental health day is enough. Often, more is needed. If your child is afraid of getting in a bike accident, taking a break and telling them to "just get back on the bike" won't take the fear away. Perhaps understanding how to ride safely requires extra lessons or your guiding hand.
For many individuals struggling with anxiety, the first step in treatment is to help them participate. This means minimizing avoidance of the feared situation and assisting the anxious person to face their fears with support. At Side by Side, much of our teams' work within our programs and out in the community is just that. Showing up for youth with patience and compassion can make a difference.
In gratitude and community,
Christine
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