Archives January 2021

Mental health is common with children and teens as it is common with adults, and the experiences are same, yet, many children and teens go undiagnosed and untreated.

One minute, there were kids and the next minutes they are teens and then adults. Kids and teen are constantly growing and hormones are changing. From one energetic toddler to a teen that sleep till noon. Mental health illness can have huge impact on teen’s development.

Mental health illnesses, if not treated early, can disrupt a teen normal development which can affect them for the rest of their lives. Some common mental illnesses that affect children and teens include;

1).DEPRESSION AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS

Depression can show up during teenage years and can affect a child or teen’s attitudes and emotions, making them feel unusually sad, crying, or irritated for more than two weeks at a time. The good thing is that depression is usually quite treatable. Sometimes therapy alone is helpful, and sometimes a combination of therapy and medication can offer the best symptom relief. But if left untreated, depression can get worse. 

2). ANIXETY AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS

Anxiety is very a common mental health illness that affects children and teens.  Anxiety disorders can cause teens to be extremely afraid of, worry a lot, and fearful things or situations that it affects with daily life. It can also affect with a teen’s ability to go out with friends, education, relationship, etc.  Talk therapy is usually the preferred form of treatment for anxiety. Teens may benefit from learning skills to manage their symptoms and face their fears.

3). ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS

ADHD makes it difficult for children and teen to focus their attention. Symptoms of ADHD may become obvious by age 4 but sometimes those symptoms don’t become problematic until the teen years. Teens may experience academic problems when the work is difficult or during high school years. Some teen with this mental health illness may struggle to complete a project, lack focus, and get easily distracted. ADHD is frequently treated with both therapy and medication. Also, parent training may also be part of treatment to help the family manage symptoms in the home.

4). OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS

Oppositional defiant disorder leads to a teens being verbal and physical aggressive to people and sometimes could be destructive. Teen with ODD tend to struggle to maintain healthy relationships and often their behavior interferes with their education. Treatment for ODD may include parent training programs and therapy.

5). EATING DISORDER AS A COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN TEENS

Eating disorders can take a serious toll on a teen’s physical health. Eating disorders involve a distorted body image along with really harmful behaviours to manage food and weight, making it difficult to nourish oneself properly. Treatment often requires both physical health monitoring and intensive therapy.

Nonetheless, there are other mental health illnesses that are not on this list. If you observe any of this problem in your child or teen reach out and seek professional help.

Emem Iniobong, CCC-Q is a Canadian Certified Counsellor in Brandon, Manitoba. She specializes in working with children and adolescents through various mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.  Passionate about helping children and teens find their unique strengths, she develop skills so they can overcome whatever challenges they face and bravely navigate the world around them. Emem owns Bliss Counselling and Wellness Centre whose mission is to help you find your bliss and live confidently.

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FIVE SIGNS THAT YOUR TEEN NEEDS COUNSELLING – One common questions I have been asked as a counsellor by parents and caregivers is when do I know that my teen is asking for help or when is the right time to seek therapy or start counselling for teen, and what signs do I need to look out for. Parents will second guess themselves, torn between wanting to help and support and wanting to give their teen room to grow and manage life on their own.

These are all great questions. However, when it comes to teens related questions, you will agree with me is always complicated. Teens face daily struggles with mood swings, stress, sadness, shame, bullying, guilt, relationships drama, self-esteem, self-image, identity issues, feeling overwhelmed about their future, and etc. It can be challenging to know if your teen is dealing with some these issues in a healthy way or when they need expert help.

Remember, parents you are the expert of your teen! Even though some days may appear as if you are not doing well enough as a parent, this is your child and you know them best. Trust your instincts.

Here are five signs that can suggest that it may be time to seek therapy for your teen:

1). Difficulty managing their emotions may mean your teen needs counselling

Change in teen emotions could be seen as normal as teen grow up but if your in teen is extremely anxious, low mood, crying all the time, emotion preventing them from functioning, under more stress than usual, emotions impacting their relationships, your teen more irritable and quicker to anger than they used to be, or behaving and engaging in ways they will normally not do because they are not able to manage their emotions.

2). Change in teen behaviour may mean your they need counselling

Change in your teen behaviour may not mean anything but if your teen behaviours has changed drastically, school performance has been, skipping school, teen no longer hanging out with friends or have they changed friend groups completely, no friends, angry at all of their friends, and they avoiding all social functions recently.

3). Change in teen Sleep Habit may mean your they need counselling

Change in your teen sleeping habit can suggest they need counselling such as, is your teen always tired, sleeping too much or too less, choosing to sleep in the middle of the day or continuously needing a nap, or sleeping instead of doing things that were usually more fun and important to them. Parent keep in mind that sleep deprivation has been linked to mood swings; drop in school performance, poor eating habits, reduced cognitive function, and difficulties concentrating.

4). Self-Harm or destructive behaviours may mean your teen needs counselling

If your teen self-harm or engage in self-destructive behaviors such as hair-pulling or skin-picking, cutting, drugs, drinking, do not seem to feel pain, talks about or engages in any kind of self-harm or risk taking is a sign that they need counselling and you need to reach out.

5). Suicidal Ideation/thinking of death may mean your teen needs counselling

If your teen is making comments like “I wish I weren’t here,” or “Nobody would care if I ran away,” If your teen talks obsessively about suicide. Is he/she talking about or thinking about hurting himself or someone else? If so, call for help immediately.

If you see all or some of these signs are in your teen then talk to your teen about speaking to someone. Your child may know it is time to speak to someone or may not know they it is an option. Likewise, by asking your teen if they will see a counsellor, you are showing your teen that there is no stigma or shame in seeking counselling. 

Wonder why Online Counselling is important. No doubt it’s been a different and challenging times. Everyone is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however the impacts is not the same for everyone. Although we all experiencing this pandemic now but the impact is different for everyone.

A study published by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and University of British Columbia shown that mental health is deteriorating as the pandemic wears on. The results indicated that intensified feelings of anxiety and stress, worrying, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness in the Canadian population. As such, in response to the pandemic and “flatten the curve” most counsellors, mental health counsellors, psychiatrists and psychologists are using Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant platform to reach out to their clients. Whether you are a returning client or starting therapy for the first time, you can benefit from online therapy because it can be accessible, convenient, and reduce stigma.

1). Accessible to Online Counselling

• Those with anxiety, social anxiety, limited mobility, or any other mobility, are able to reach a counsellor online, which can make a difference in being able to access help and get help.
• Removes the stress of those living in rural communities and cannot travel because of the distance. No need to travel because online counselling the resource pool of counsellors available to you. You get to choice.
• Removes the issues of I know that person, embarrassment, or conflict of interest, awkwardness because the community is small.

2). Convenient of Online Counselling

• Appointment for online counselling can be access from the comfort of your home. No need to worry if you are properly dressed or not.
• No needs to hire a babysitter to watch your kids, drive through hectic traffic, or commute for appointment.
•  Online counselling works with your hectic schedules.

3). Reduce Stigma/Stress in Online Counselling

• The worry of been seen by someone you know for getting mental health when you go to a clinic for your appointment is reduced or eliminated.
• Can reduce the stress of those who find it difficult to be in the physical presence of others.
• Using online counselling through text can be less hindering, as it gives room to think through ideas and responses.

As reported, by CMHA and UBC Canadians struggles with mental health during winter. But with the pandemic, eroded social network, uncertainty, and restrictions on holiday gathering are hitting a time when people are already anxious, stressed, fearful, hopeless, and worrying about the unknown. It is important to know there is help and there is hope. Reach out now and schedule your appointment for an online counselling.

Other Mental Health Services at Bliss counselling and Wellness Centre, our goal is simple: Counselling services in Brandon City, MB designed to help you build confidence, gain insight, developing coping skills, and finding your bliss. We specialize in working with children and adolescent, parenting, and families.

Canadian Mental Health Association. (December, 2020) Despair and suicidal feelings deepen as pandemic wears on. Retrieved from https://cmha.bc.ca/news/despair-and-suicidal-feelings-deepen-as-pandemic-wears-on/

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