Course

How Common are Mental Health Issues in Children and Adolescents?

Self-paced
3 credits

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Full course description

Description

This comprehensive training addresses the growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents, which has worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising rates of depression, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts are major concerns, with additional trauma from violence—particularly gun violence—and the negative impact of social media on self-esteem and friendships. The training emphasizes the critical role of schools in providing mental health resources, the need for more counselors, and the importance of community-based programs in supporting youth. It also explores how federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, including grant programs, is being used to expand mental health services. The session underscores the urgency of addressing untreated mental health needs in children and adolescents, highlighting current trends and the need for a cultural humility approach in treating diverse populations. Participants will learn about underutilized provider resources that can help address these challenges, equipping professionals with the tools necessary to better support young individuals and their families. By focusing on prevention, effective treatment, and expanding access to resources, there is potential for meaningful change in the mental well-being of youth.

Target Audience

This training video will be helpful to:

  • Youth and adolescents

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, you will be to:

  1. Identify Key Symptoms of the Youth Mental Health Crisis:
    Participants will be able to recognize the primary symptoms of the mental health crisis among children and adolescents, including increased sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Evaluate the Impact of Trauma and Violence on Youth Mental Health:
    Participants will learn to assess how various forms of trauma, including gun violence, contribute to the mental health challenges faced by young people.
  3. Understand the Detrimental Effects of Social Media on Youth Self-esteem and Relationships:
    Participants will be able to analyze the negative effects of social media on adolescents' self-esteem, friendships, and overall well-being, and how these factors contribute to the mental health crisis.
  4. Develop Prevention and Treatment Strategies to Improve Youth Mental Health:
    Participants will gain insights into effective prevention and treatment strategies aimed at addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents, fostering positive change in their well-being.
  5. Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Children's Mental Health: By the end of the training, participants will be able to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected children's mental health, identifying key issues such as rising rates of depression, anxiety, and teen suicide.
  6. Recognize the Role of Schools in Mental Health Support: Participants will be able to discuss the critical role that schools play in delivering mental health resources, including the necessity for increased counseling staff and community-based programs.
  7. Evaluate Federal Funding Initiatives: By the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to describe how federal funding from the American Rescue Plan is being utilized to support mental health efforts for children, including specific grant programs aimed at expanding services.
  8. Propose Community-Based Solutions: Participants will be able to identify and propose at least two community-based strategies for enhancing mental health support for children, leveraging insights gained from the training about current challenges and available resources.
  9. Examine Current Trends in Youth Mental Health Symptomatology:
    Participants will be able to identify and analyze current trends in mental health symptoms affecting children and adolescents, highlighting the growing urgency for timely intervention.
  10. Apply a Cultural Humility Perspective to Youth Mental Health Care:
    Participants will learn to adopt and integrate a cultural humility approach in their mental health practices, considering evolving population demographics and diverse cultural contexts.
  11. Recognize the Importance of Addressing Untreated Mental Health Needs in Youth:
    Participants will understand the significant impact of untreated mental health issues among children and adolescents, and the long-term consequences of failing to address these needs.
  12. Utilize an Underutilized Provider Resource for Treating Youth Mental Health:
    Participants will be introduced to a specific underutilized provider resource, gaining practical tools and knowledge to enhance their ability to support the mental health needs of young individuals and their families.

Key Topics

  • Mental Health Crisis prevention and treatment, urgency of addressing mental health issues and role of schools in supporting mental health.

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