LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - In 2024, Allen County was among the top twelve Ohio counties that had the highest number of suicide deaths among youth. But a group was formed to get the word out about identifying, addressing, and helping kids facing mental health challenges.
One in five youth will experience a mental health challenge, like anxiety and depression, and addressing those challenges early can make a big difference. Allen County Public Health was awarded a grant through the Ohio Department of Health, and they created Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition and by partnering with parents through focus groups, they want to spread information on youth mental health challenges to help kids and prevent suicides. So, we are starting a three-part series to help adults understand signs and symptoms of developing mental health challenges in youth.
“The median age of onset of mental illness within the U.S. is 14 years of age, which means half of the people that will experience a mental health challenge will begin experiencing symptoms as a child. The Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition organized several parent / caregivers focus groups to better understand what adults understood about youth mental illness. There are so many changes a youth goes through (as we all did) as typical stages of development roll out, especially from the ages the of 13 – 18. However, many challenging behaviors that could be seen as a phase that kids are going through, could be something we need to pay more attention to. Just understanding the signs (something you see or hear) and symptoms (what the young person may be feeling) helps us understand when a child may be struggling,” says Donna Dickman, PASS Dir. of Development.
Plus, parents need to pay attention to potential warning signs that their child could be struggling.
“If you notice your child going from one extreme to another one, such as if they're acting out of their usual character, overeating, and then they stop eating, or if they're active and then they become withdrawn and don't want to be around people sleeping a lot, outbursts of anger from a child that's normally pretty laid back and calm. Grade changes. Friends changes if they're a good student, and then they start failing in classes and skipping school, anything that is out of their usual character you want to pay attention,” says Patricia Reynolds, Focus Group Participant.
“Behavioral changes could include sudden withdrawal from friends, family, isolating in their room or avoiding social situations or activities. Emotional Distress could include extreme mood swings, constant irritability, sadness or excessive worry that last more than 2 weeks at a time. Physical Changes like unexplained physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches. Risky Behavior could include self-destructive actions, alcohol or drug use, or self-harm,” adds Dickman.
