Youth Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Transcription

1 Youth Substance Abuse and Mental Health Insights Program Peter Ehrhorn, LMFT Department Director, Youth Empowerment Services April, 2017

2 Overview Introduction Fact Sheet Understanding our Youth The Brain Addiction and Mental Health Who can help?

3 Fact Sheet Hope Recovery Addiction Center

4 Fact Sheet In 1997, The United States became one of only two developed countries on the planet that made it legal for pharmaceutical companies to advertise drugs directly to consumers, including children Our Youth generation has grown up with 24/7 ads TV, magazines, internet, etc. In 2014, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 47,055 people died of an accidental drug overdose 29,467 of those from opioid-related drugs, which includes prescription pain medication. To put that in perspective, firearms were used to kill 13,286 people in the US over the same period of time (excludes suicide). Drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. United States is only 5% of the global population yet uses 85% of all opioids. Four of five people who become addicted to heroin start out with a legal prescription. We created this problem, unintentionally, we created this opioid crisis in the country. We had the best intentions. - Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer

5 Understanding our Youth What do parents do??? What s going on in their worlds? Social media and Real life. JOIN. LEARN. KNOW THEIR FRIENDS Genuine interest rather than interrogation. Talk to their friends when they are at the house, when they pick up your kids, etc.

6 Understanding our Youth Teens have a problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time. They solve this by defying their parents and copying one another. -Unknown

7 The Adolescent Brain

8 Basic Functions of the Brain Frontal Lobe: The frontal lobe is tasked with the duty of performing functions like expressive language, reasoning, higher level cognition and motor skills. It is positioned at the front portion of the brain. Any damage to it can lead to changes of socialization, attention, sexual habits, etc. Parietal Lobe: The parietal lobe is responsible for processing the information sent to the brain by the tactile senses like pain, pressure and touch. It is placed in the center of the brain. Any damage to it can cause problems with language, ability of controlling eye gaze and verbal memory. Occipital Lobe: The occipital lobe is tasked with the duty of interpreting the information being sent to the brain by the eyes. It is positioned at the back of the brain. If it is damaged, your visual ability will be affected, like unable to recognize colors, words and objects. Temporal Lobe: The temporal lobe is responsible for forming memories and processing the sounds being recorded by the ears. It is placed at the bottom of the brain. Any damage to it can cause problem with language skills, speech perception and memory.

9 Adolescent Brain Development FUN FACT ABOUT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT -Right behind your forehead is the Pre-Frontal Lobe. This area supports functions such as judgment and impulses The Pre-Frontal Lobe is the final area of the brain to develop -Therefore, it makes sense that youth typically have limited impulse control and often use poor judgment, specifically with risk taking behaviors -Is this an excuse for at-risk behavior? NO. Youth are capable of maintaining control but hopefully it will help parents understand that youth may need extra support to make appropriate decisions

10 Adolescent Brain Development Negative Impacts of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development - Interferes with the brains natural ability to send messages to the body - Impacts memory functions - Reduces the persons ability to feel pleasure in the absence of substances - The brain begins to expect the substances as a part of the natural circuitry - Remember, our brains develop until the age of 25. Substance use has more of a negative impact while our brains are developing so our teens are far more susceptible to the negative impacts of substance use

11 Adolescent Brain Development The GOOD NEWS is - Our brains are elastic! This means when our teens decide to discontinue using substances, their brains will naturally adapt back to a healthier state! - While it is never too late to quit, the longer a person uses substances, the longer term the damage to the brain may be

12 Addiction and Mental Health Continuum of Substance Use: Experimentation Regular Use/Misuse Abuse Dependence/Addiction

13 Addiction and Mental Health How do I know if my child is suffering?

14 Addiction and Mental Health How do I know if my child is suffering? PHYSICAL SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: - bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than - sudden weight loss or weight gain - deterioration of physical appearance - tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination - falling asleep or passing out at work - noticeable change in personal grooming habits for the worse

15 Addiction and Mental Health How do I know if my child is suffering? BEHAVIORAL SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: - Drop in performance or attendance at school - Getting into trouble at school or outside of school frequently (e.g.: fights, accidents, illegal activities like driving under the influence) - Secretive or suspicious behavior - Unexplained need for money

16 Addiction and Mental Health How do I know if my child is suffering? PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: - Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid for no apparent reason - Lack of motivation, person often appears lethargic or spaced out - Sudden angry outbursts, mood swings or irritability - Unexplained change in personality or attitude, particularly a negative change - Unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness for short periods of time

17 Addiction and Mental Health United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

18 Who can help? Youth Empowerment Services at StarVista: Insights Program Substance use and mental health treatment for adolescents GIRLS Program Intensive mental health treatment for girls ages years old. Refers by court order only. Youth Development Initiative Youth leadership and peer mediation programming for students at Sequoia High School. Resource Family Community Based Recruitment Foster family recruitment for teenage foster youth Transitional Youth Services THPPlus programming for former foster youth and youth formerly on probation. Provides housing locator and case management support for youth between years old ext. 21. Daybreak Program Transitional Housing program for homeless youth. Provides housing, independent living skills training and case management support for youth between years old Your House South Program 24-hour emergency and temporary housing for runaway and homeless youth and families in crisis. Youth participate in a structured program that includes individual, family, and group counseling, with the goal of reuniting the youth with their families

19 Who can help? Wellness and Recovery Services at StarVista: Child & Adolescent Hotline Prevention Program (CAHPP) KIDS (5437) or at Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Center - We re here to listen 24/7, Free and Anonymous: Crisis Line: or SUICIDE Parent Support Line: Alcohol & Drug Line:

20 Who can help? SAMHSA s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: or HELP San Mateo County SUD Adolescent Programs StarVista s Insights Program El Centro de Libertad HealthRIGHT 360 Pyramid Alternatives

21 nurture. guide. transform.