A PARENT’S GUIDE TO TEENAGE STRESS

Waterloo Collegiate Institute May 13, 2009

Adolescent & Young Adult TeamChild & Adolescent Mental Health Services

ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

our team : who we are & what we do

teenage stress: what’s normal & what’s not

how parents can help

when to worry & who to call

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

The Adolescent & Young Adult Team:social workers, psychologists, child youth worker, nurses, psychiatrists, special education teachers, program secretary, graduate students

. . .the equivalent of about 4 full-time therapists for . . .

3 programs:1. Adolescent Team2. Young Adult Program (YAP)3. Psychiatric Consultation Clinic

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

ADOLESCENT TEAM:

works with 13 - 18 year olds & their families in individual, family and/or group therapy, approximately once weeklysees teens who experience moderate to severe mental health problems that affect their ability to function cognitively, emotionally, interpersonally

consults & collaborates with schools, physicians, community agencies e.g. Family & Children’s Services, Lutherwood, St. Mary’s Counselling, First Step, as examples

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM (YAP):

provides an intensive, Monday to Friday therapeutic program of (primarily) group therapy in addition to an opportunity to work on high school credits at your own pace for a 4-6 month period

works with 16 - 21 year olds (& their families) whose moderate to severe mental health problems have interfered with their ability to remain in a regular high schoolconsults & collaborates with similar agencies as theAdolescent Team; provides individual & family therapy; assists with transition back to school or work

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION CLINIC (PCC):

provides assessment & treatment by a child/adolescent psychiatrist and nurse for 13 to 18 year olds (and their families)

provides clarification on questions regarding diagnosis (what’s going on?) or medication (what kind? how much?)offers appointments on a one time only, or ongoing basis depending on the nature of the concerns

receives referrals from family physicians only

Teenage Stress:WHAT’S NORMAL & WHAT’S NOT

WHAT’S “NORMAL” TEENAGE STRESS?

worry about entering high school

grades & teacher interactionfriend conflicts

relationships

family conflict pressures sexual orientation

losses (friends moving, deaths, divorce, illness)

jobs & post-secondary plans

puberty

body image

Teenage Stress:WHAT’S NORMAL & WHAT’S NOT

WHAT’S NOT SO “NORMAL”? (AKA WHEN TO WORRY)

Changes in MOOD, BEHAVIOUR, and/or PERSONALITY

that happen repeatedly (a pattern?)

and that affect day to day functioning

Teenage Stress:WHAT’S NORMAL & WHAT’S NOT

WHAT’S NOT SO “NORMAL”?Some possible indicators of changes to mood, behaviour and/or personality:

sleep and/or appetite changes

motivation, interest, concentration & energy changes

peer group changes

social withdrawal or excessive socializing

aggression, high risk/illegal activity, or odd behaviour

Teenage Stress:WHAT’S NORMAL & WHAT’S NOT

WHAT’S NOT SO “NORMAL”?

Possible contributors to changes in mood, behaviour & personality?

DEPRESSION EXCESSIVE WORRY

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS SELF HARM

SUBSTANCE USEABUSE

FRIGHTENING OR UNUSUAL THOUGHTS

Teenage Stress:HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

Make a date with your teen

Practice active listening: reflect back

Ask before giving advice

Put yourself in their shoes

Take them seriously AND use humour

Take charge & take action if safety is a concern

Follow through on your expectations / consequences

Role model how to take care of yourself

Teenage Stress:WHO TO CALL IF YOU’RE WORRIED

guidance counsellor, school VP, school social workerfamily doctor

GRH central referral (triage) line: (519) 749-4310

Crisis Services of Waterloo Region: (519) 744-1813

Children’s Mental Health Access Centre Walk-in Service: Wednesdays 3:00 – 7:00 pm

39 Water Street, Kitchener

GO -> GRH Emergency department

Teenage Stress:A FEW SUGGESTED READINGS

Phelan, Thomas W. (1998). Surviving Your Adolescents:How to Manage and Let Go of Your 13-18 Year Olds. Glen Ellyn, IL: Child Management Inc.

Edgette, Janet. (2002). Stop Negotiating With Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting your Angry, Manipulative, Moody or Depressed Adolescent. Perigee Press

Taffel, Ron & Blau, Melinda. (2002). Parenting By Heart: How To Be In Charge, Stay Connected,and Instill Your Values, When It Feels Like You've Only Got 15 Minutes A Day, Revised Edition. Da Capo Press

Neufeld, Gordon & Mate, Gabor. (2005). Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers. Ballantine Books

Wolf, Anthony. (2002). Get Out Of My Life But First Could You Drive Me

and Cheryl to the Mall? Revised Ed. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux