What Is Considered A Mental Health Crisis In Teens?-💜

Key Takeaways

• The second leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. is suicide.
• When a teen cannot handle daily life, they may be going through mental distress. This can appear as wild mood swings, or thoughts of suicide.
• Other warning signs may include feeling sad, anxious, or having panic attacks. Risk of self-harm increases if the teen has access to weapons.
• Causes of mental health disorders in younger adults are often related to school stress, poor relationships, loneliness, trauma at home, or bullying.
• If you are concerned a teenager you know has suicidal plans, call 911 or 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) immediately. Getting help fast is critical for their safety and recovery.

What Is a Mental Health Crisis in Teens?

When a teenager is going through a mental health crisis, they'll experience changes in their actions, emotions, or thoughts. These shifts can make it difficult for them to care for their own needs, relationships, and academic responsibilities.

Some teens may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. However, just because they are in crisis doesn't always mean they are dangerous. It's more likely that they feel overwhelmed and are no longer able to cope on their own anymore.

Health experts agree that mental disorders are true medical conditions that disrupt quality of life and require help from trained mental health professionals.

No one should view a young person in crisis as expressing weakness. Sometimes support systems fall short. Teens worldwide struggle with anxiety disorders, problems eating, substance abuse, panic attacks, and bipolar disorder. Others may have gone through a traumatic event. These young adults subsequently increase their risk for crises.

A crisis often occurs before any official mental diagnosis has been reached. Every person’s struggle looks different but every case should receive immediate attention and result in quick access to crisis services when needed.

Key Signs of a Mental Health Crisis in Teens

Teens going through crisis may exhibit signs of strong emotional pain or rapid mood swings. Here's what to look for.

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Sadness, anxiety, anger, depression, and panic are all normal feelings, but when they become hard to control or get worse over time, it can be a red flag.

Rapid mood swings, irritability, and frustration are common signs displayed during mental health crises in young people. Physical symptoms may include headaches, nausea, even feeling chest pain or sweating from anxiety.

This anxiety can also lead to dizziness or trouble breathing, causing panic attacks. Some individuals experience paranoia or flashbacks from past traumatic events, causing them to lose touch with reality for a short time.

Attempting to manage this level of distress can make daily tasks seem impossible to handle for teens. Even waking up to go to school or getting out of bed in the morning might feel overwhelming.

If this is the case and the situation does not improve over time, then it’s time to reach out to get professional help from crisis counselors. Young adults can take advantage of affordable, immediate help from local healthcare professionals and organizations in Detroit like CNS Healthcare.

Care providers at CNS can create a treatment plan and help you develop the right coping mechanisms that work best for your needs. You can also find more crisis resources at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Risk of self-harm or harming others

Young people in a mental crises also run the risk of self-harm or harming the physical health of others. Watch out for teens that talk or write about suicide, harming themselves, or are threatening others. Any clear threat, plan, or past attempt to end their own life is an immediate risk and should be reported to a crisis hotline right away.

Look for signs of teens hitting or hurting themselves, using sharp items on their skin, or verbal and physical aggression. If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you know, reach out for crisis support.

Call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if there is imminent danger and tell them there is a mental health crisis. Saying this will get you a quicker response from police who are trained to handle psychiatric care situations.

You can also call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to be connected with trained mental healthcare professionals.

For more severe cases, you can get help fast by reaching out to psychiatric hospital admissions in Michigan.

Causes of Mental Health Crises in Teens

Teens are up against daily pressures that can lead to a mental health crisis. Between stress at school, maintaining relationships, and past trauma, many experience deep emotional pain.

Stress from school, relationships, or trauma

Stress caused by attending school should not be overlooked. The need to achieve high grades may often feel overwhelming. Add in relationship conflicts with friends, family, or partners, and the weight can quickly become unmanageable.

Trauma also plays a major role when it comes to mental health. Violence at home or school can make experiencing the risk of a crisis much higher. Other triggers of crises include switching schools and bullying.

Additionally, feeling lonely can push young people to a breaking point. Ensuring that they have plenty of support from friends, family and peers is essential during these difficult times. This support can help reduce stress levels and promote better mental wellbeing.

Preventing Crises With The Right Support

If you suspect a teenager in your life is reaching a mental health crisis, take it seriously and react accordingly. There are early warning signs including sadness, withdrawal, or risky behavior that can help you spot a crisis before it gets out of control. Be aware of building pressures coming from home, relationships, and school that may soon become overwhelming.

Professional mental health services and national mental health hotlines like 988 are essential for the right support, treatment, and recovery. Connect with us today at CNS Healthcare in Detroit for more information on how taking action now can make a big difference for you or a young person you care about.

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