Adolescent mental health: Your questions answered
If you have questions about adolescent mental health, you’re not alone. As a parent or caregiver, it can be difficult when your teenager is going through hard times. They may not know what to do or where to turn. Below, we answer your frequently asked questions and connect you to Behavioral Health resources.
What types of behaviors should I be concerned about in my child?
Adolescence is a time of many changes. At times, even typical adolescent behavior can be challenging. Knowing what to expect from your adolescent and how to know what types of behaviors are concerning is important.
Common “red flags” to watch for in older children and adolescents include:
- Changes in mood or personality that are not typical for your child, such as anger, feelings of hopelessness, rage, etc.
- Loss of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed
- Difficulties falling or staying asleep or sleeping all the time
- Changes in weight, appetite or eating patterns
- Unexpected or dramatic decline in schoolwork
- Thoughts of death or suicide or talking about it
What mental health conditions are commonly seen in adolescents?
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Substance use and abuse
What do I need to know about tobacco, alcohol or other drugs?
This is a growing concern about substance use among adolescents, teenagers, young adults, their parents and community members. There are programs available within our community and here at Gundersen that:
- Support non-use
- Focus on prevention and education
- Help those who struggle with alcohol and other drug issues
Visit CommunityLink to search for free or reduced-cost services and programs.
Who can I turn to for help?
Start by talking to your child’s primary care provider (PCP). PCPs specialize in taking care of your child’s overall health and well-being. Because they know your family and your child’s medical history best, they can help gauge whether your concerns are normal for your child’s age/development or make referrals if additional support is needed.
How can I find a Behavioral Health provider on my own?
You can visit our Find a Provider website to see our full team of Behavioral Health providers, their specialties and clinical interests.
Our Behavioral Health Assessment & Referral Team provides an added layer of support. They will help determine the right level of care for your child, adolescent or family by asking basic questions about the nature of your concern. These questions include:
- Your child's age
- The reason for your call
- Your location and scheduling preferences
- Screening for urgency
Based on your responses, our team will schedule you or your child accordingly. To get started, call the Assessment & Referral Team at (608) 775-7991 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 57991.
What can I expect from an initial Behavioral Health assessment?
An initial assessment typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes. It may include the provider speaking individually with parents/caregivers, individually with your child/adolescent and/or a combined interview. The intent is to gather information about the concern and pertinent history, do an assessment for safety and develop an initial treatment plan. This is also an opportunity for your provider to get to know you and your family, and for you to get to know them.
A provisional diagnosis may be discussed with you at the initial visit. However, the process of assessment is often ongoing. Particularly with young people, an assessment may occur over one or more sessions. "Diagnosis" is simply looking at the presenting problem and "naming" it, which is valuable in developing a positive plan of action.
I'm concerned about my family's privacy. How is this addressed?
You have the right to privacy and confidentiality. Treatment records and conversations about your child’s treatment are kept confidential. Records and conversations about your treatment are disclosed to others only as required by law or with your written consent or the consent of your legal representative. Two exceptions are:
- Reporting either suspected or actual child abuse to the appropriate authorities, as required by law
- When not disclosing information would pose a clear threat of physical harm to oneself or others
If you or your child has questions about your privacy or the process of treatment at any point, it is important to discuss these with your current care provider.
How might group therapy benefit my child or adolescent?
Research shows group therapy is one of the most effective interventions for young people. Group therapy provides a place where you and your child can come together with others to:
Share problems or concerns
- Better understand your own situation
- Better understand your own patterns of thoughts and behaviors and those of others
- Learn from and with your peers
Group therapy can help you and your child learn about yourselves and improve your interpersonal relationships. It can address feelings of isolation, depression or anxiety and help to build skills. It can also help you and your child make significant changes so that you both feel better about the quality of your lives.
Could an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) be right for my teenager?
Our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program can be a "step down" in care for adolescents, ages 13–18 (still in high school), who have recently been hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatry setting, or it can be a "step up" in treatment when a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy is needed.
Adolescents who may benefit from this program include those who:
- Can participate in therapy and engage in a group setting
- Experience significant functional impairment at home, in school or in the community, despite the efforts of their current outpatient providers
- Are affected by any of the following:
- Consistent absence from school
- Difficulty with problem solving, decision making or relating with family, peers and others
- Poor self-care
- Need help addressing safety issues
- Need help managing time in a meaningful way
- Have support to manage schoolwork outside of programming hours
- Are not a danger to themselves or others
To learn more or make a referral, visit our Adolescent PHP webpage. A similar program is available for adults, ages 18 and older, who are out of high school.
What should I do in case of an emergency or crisis?
If you’re concerned about the immediate health or safety of your child, call 911 or go to your local emergency room. You can also reach out for support by texting or chatting with the National Suicide Hotline at 988 Lifeline. This service is free, confidential and available 24/7.
Additional 24-hour resources for crisis management include calling:
- La Crosse Children's Crisis Program at (608) 784-HELP (4357)
- Great Rivers 211 by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone
To report suspected abuse of a child, contact your local County Human Services Department and ask to speak with a child protection intake worker.
How do I know if my adolescent is suicidal or harming themselves?
Teens who are suicidal may have some warning signs, including:
- Change in eating and sleeping habits
- Declining grades in school
- Difficulties concentrating
- Difficulty accepting compliments or praise
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance
- Noticeable personality changes
- Rebellious behavior
- Withdrawal from things they use to enjoy
Other signs that a teen may be considering suicide or even have a suicide plan include:
- Becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
- Expressing bizarre thoughts or hallucinations
- Giving away or getting rid of personal belongings
- Giving verbal hints, such as "I want you to know something in case I'm not here anymore" or "I won't be a problem for you much longer"
- Saying they want to die or are thinking about committing suicide
- Self-injury such as cutting, burning or head-banging
- Writing suicide notes
Why might an adolescent be hospitalized psychiatrically?
A young person may be hospitalized psychiatrically if there is concern that without additional supervision the child may be at risk for significant self-injury or death. Your child's primary care provider, current provider in Behavioral Health or on-call staff can assist in making this determination and developing appropriate safety plans.