How to Prevent a Teen Mental Health Crisis

When a teen has a devastating panic attack or is rushed to the emergency room after a suicide attempt, the family has to recognize what’s going on and take action. But it’s not always possible to head off such an event.

In some cases, a teen mental health crisis is the first time that parents learn what’s really going on with their child. That’s particularly true when teens hide their emotions due to shame or fear of their family’s reaction.

In this article, we look at what a teen mental health breakdown means, signs and symptoms to watch for, and the importance of early detection and treatment.

What You’ll Learn

• What is a teen mental health crisis?
• Why do parents sometimes miss signs of a mental health crisis or breakdown?
• What happens in adolescence in regards to the brain and hormones?
• Why is early intervention important when it comes to treating mental health issues?

Quick Read

In this article, we discuss the critical importance of recognizing and addressing teen mental health crises, which can manifest as severe breakdowns that hinder daily functioning. Often, these crises are the first indication for parents that their child is struggling, particularly when teens conceal their emotions due to stigma or fear of judgment. It outlines various warning signs, such as extreme mood changes, sleep disturbances, and self-harm, emphasizing that early detection and intervention are vital to prevent escalation and long-term consequences.

Moreover, the article highlights the need for parents to overcome mental health stigma and seek help promptly when they notice concerning symptoms. It stresses that early intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes, reduce the frequency of future episodes, and support healthy brain development during adolescence. The article concludes by promoting comprehensive treatment approaches that address the multifaceted needs of teens, including therapy, experiential activities, and family support, to foster healing and resilience.

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What Is Considered a Breakdown?

The term “breakdown” is not a medical diagnosis. Also commonly referred to as a “nervous breakdown” or a “mental breakdown,” the term indicates a severe mental event in which a teen can no longer function or perform day-to-day activities.

The mental health crisis may be brought on by significant stressors, such as trauma or loss, or excessive pressure within the school, family, or work environment. Such an episode is often an indication of an underlying teen mental health condition.

Warning Signs of a Potential Teen Mental Health Crisis

Symptoms of a serious mental health episode vary from person to person and from situation to situation. Sometimes symptoms develop over a long period. And at other times, they can appear very quickly.

• Inability to function in day-to-day activities
• Sleeping excessively or not being able to sleep at all
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or speaking coherently
• Auditory or visual hallucinations, including ringing sounds or seeing lights
• Anxiety that interferes with basic functioning
• Non-responsiveness
• Delusions, including feeling indestructible or beyond human
• Psychosis, or complete detachment from reality
• Self-harm, suicidality, or suicide attempt.

If a teen experiences these symptoms, parents or caregivers must seek immediate medical care to prevent more severe consequences, including loss of life.

The Importance of Early Intervention in Teen Mental Health  

During the adolescent years, the brain undergoes extensive changes, making teens more vulnerable to mental illness. Hence, if severe symptoms are allowed to develop, the episode will have a greater impact on long-term social, behavioral, emotional, and intellectual development. In addition, a severe mental health episode often requires hospitalization, increasing the level of trauma surrounding the episode.

More treatment options are available in the early stages of a teen mental health crisis, and early intervention can decrease the number and severity of future mental health episodes. Moreover, because half of all mental health disorders start by age 14, teens are in a high risk group, and early intervention can make all the difference in terms of their future. Education, awareness, and early intervention in a mental health episode can provide a higher quality of life for your teen now and into the future.

Common Teen Mental Health Symptoms

 Many warning signs can easily be overlooked by parents and caregivers, teachers, and other adults responsible for children or adolescents. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Excessive worrying, fear, or anxiety
• Severe changes in sleep patterns
• Frequent nightmares or night terrors
• Severe changes in appetite
• Feeling “flat,” displaying less interest or emotions than usual
• Extreme mood changes, including periods of euphoria or exaggerated silliness
• Hyperactivity or inability to focus
• Periods of increased recklessness, clumsiness, or decreased ability to concentrate
• Extreme or uncharacteristic irritability or anger
• Avoiding friends, family, or social activities
• Having low energy or minor unexplained health problems like headaches, sore throat, aches, or gastrointestinal problems
• Sudden changes in behavior or use of substances
• Excessive concern about weight or appearance
• Significant changes in school performance, interests, hobbies, or friends.

While many of these symptoms can seem like typical behaviors in teens, the key is noticing when they last more than a few weeks or months, especially if the symptoms worsen with time. For parents, the most important thing is to remember to follow your gut. When parents can avoid getting caught up in mental health stigma or denial and seek treatment early for their teen, it can be life changing or even life saving for their children.

If you see any of these signs, take the following actions for preventing teenage suicide and accessing help for a suicidal teenager:

1. Do not leave the person alone.
2. Remove anything that could be used in a suicide attempt, including firearms, alcohol, drugs, razors, or other sharp objects.
3. Call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
4. Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

Our Treatment for Teen Mental Health

Seeking treatment before a breakdown or serious mental health episode increases the treatment options for teens, as well as the success of treatment. Early intervention can lessen the quantity and severity of future mental health episodes and support a teen’s brain function and development at this crucial time in their lives.

Newport Academy uses a whole-person, comprehensive approach to address each teen’s physical, emotional, psychological, and relational needs. We treat young people struggling with primary mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as co-occurring substance use and disordered eating. Guided by expert clinicians, our programs include:

• Clinical modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and more
• Experiential therapy, including equine, yoga and meditation, music, fitness, and adventure options
• Accredited academics in our residential and Partial Hospitalization Programs, to ensure teens progress in their educational goals
• Family therapy to repair parent-child relationships so teens feel safe turning to parents for support

Start the healing journey today. Contact us for a free teen mental health assessment.

Sources

Int J Ment Health Syst. 2020; 14: 23.

PNAS. 2020 Feb;117(6): 3248–3253.