September 10 marks 2015’s R U OK? Day. Alex Dalland reveals the importance of keeping the mental health conversation alive.
One-fifth of adolescents have high levels of psychological distress and one in 13 have seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to the results from the recently released Mental Health of Children and Adolescent Report.
The report showed that while more young people with mental health issues are seeking help through mental health channels than ever before, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety have become more prevalent, particularly among older teenagers and teenage girls, with around 20 per cent having major depressive disorders.
“Major societal transformation since the last survey means young people are busier than ever and exposed to pressures and risks unimaginable 17 years ago. However, the report’s finding that help-seeking has significantly increased is positive and reflects the work of BeyondBlue and similar organisations to improve mental health literacy,” BeyondBlue Board director and child and adolescent psychologist Professor Brett McDermott says.
The report also highlighted a lack of communication between parents and carers and their adolescent children, with over half of adolescents with a major depressive disorder surveyed stating that their parents and carers had ‘poor’ knowledge about how they were feeling.
September 10 is RUOK? Day, which encourages meaningful communication to help people who may be feeling suicidal or suffering from depression or other mental health disorders.
Although many of the statistics in the report seem alarming, CEO of youth mental health group headspace Chris Tanti believes they will hopefully encourage parents to look out for signs of mental illness in their children, such as changes in mood or behaviour.
“Parents are key in helping young people to get support, particularly mothers of young men, so knowing the signs and symptoms that something might be wrong and then how to get help is vital.”
Headspace – 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Lifeline – 13 11 14
