Neighbor News
70% Of Teens State That Mental Health Issues Are A Major Concern
Dr. Bryan Pearlman shares his thoughts and advice on how to support a child or teen who may be dealing with a mental health concern.
(St. Louis, Missouri): A recent Pew Survey found that 70% of teens stated that mental health issues are a major concern impacting them and their peers. The mental health concerns reported to be most prevalent included anxiety and depression. Additionally, according to that National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the second leading cause of death among teens is suicide. Both of these figures have increased greatly over the past decade.
Therapist and former elementary school principal, Dr. Bryan Pearlman, believes that education and awareness are two of the critical components of addressing the mental health crisis, “If parents, educators and the community are not aware of these statistics, they really need to be and right away. An important first step in addressing the mental health epidemic is education. From education comes action. Research shows that the sooner a person receives care for a mental health concern, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.”
The increased numbers of children and teens seeking care for mental health concerns has been rapidly increasing in the St. Louis area as well. Dr. Pearlman sees this increase firsthand, “Five years ago, the average age of a patient in our practice was approximately 40 years old. Today, the average age of a patient is closer to 19 years old. We have also seen a rapid rise in the number of children under 10 years old that are coming in with severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.”
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Dr. Pearlman has some advice for parents, “You know your child the best. If you begin noticing changes in their behavior, appearance or attitude, this is something that you want to address right away. It is always best to err on the side of caution. You can reach out to your pediatrician for guidance or contact a therapist that specializes in working with children and teens.”
Dr. Bryan Pearlman is a therapist with Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, a mental health practice located in Creve Coeur. The practice has five therapists who specialize in working with children, teens, and families. More information about Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is available at: https://STLmentalhealth.com.