Adolescents’ emotional wellbeing depends so much on interaction. Humans are social animals, and we languish without genuine connections with peers and family. This can be especially true for adolescents with mental health issues, who will need support even in the best of times. At this point, it’s no secret that pandemic mental health is a part of life that everyone must face and find strategies to maintain. Hence, it’s worth considering how the shutdowns and isolation have been affecting our adolescents.
Overall, studies have shown that most adolescents have felt less happy or experienced negative feelings since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is also a current of fear that has appeared in adolescents, often expressed by teens as general anxiety when they are cut off from their usual friends and distractions.
Adolescents’ Mental Health Warning Signs
It is important to watch your adolescents closely for changes in behavior during events such as Covid-19, which are often called adverse childhood experiences (ACE). These produce a buildup of stress hormones in adolescents, which will often linger into adulthood, setting the stage for conditions like depression, anxiety, and heart problems.
Pandemic mental health declines quickly in children who experience ACEs like a death in the family, loss of stable housing and economic stability, or extended periods of social isolation. Now is a good time to talk to your adolescent and see if they will be candid about how they feel. But adolescents aren’t always in the mood to talk about their emotions, so here are some key warning signs to look for:
- Significant changes in mood — Becoming withdrawn and sad, anger, increased aggression, sudden outbursts
- New and unusual physical pains — Headaches, body pain, lack of concentration, stomach pain, dizziness, elevated heart rate, fatigue
- Intense fear/apprehension — Sudden loss of confidence about normal things, not wanting to take part in home learning, refusing normal exercise and play routines
- Broken sleep patterns — Often seen in teens who are beginning to withdraw from online socializing and academics
- Excessive weight loss or gain — Also common in teens who may be suffering from a number of mental health issues
If any of this looks familiar, it might be time to reach out and get professional care.
How Beyond Healthcare Supports Adolescents and their Families
We provide excellent outpatient mental health care for adolescents and teens aged 11-17. Our team of dedicated doctors and professionals will work hard to create truly personalized and holistic mental health care programs for each adolescent. The team will address the comprehensive profile of our young learners by paying close attention to body, mind, and spirit. We can build support solutions for your whole family, which work around your schedule. With online and community outreach, Beyond Healthcare stays connected to your progress.
You don’t have to do this alone. Our team can diagnose and treat many common mental health conditions such as:
- Bipolar disorder
- Addictions and co-occurring disorders
- Developmental disorders
- Self-injuring behavior
- Depression and anxiety
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Some examples of what the Beyond Healthcare team can provide:
- Individual counseling
- Mental health services
- Weekend appointments
- Therapy for families
- Afterschool therapy
- Telehealth
- Medication management
- Psychiatric care
- Art therapy
- Gaming therapy
- Play therapy
- Movement therapy
Reach out and Discover How Beyond Healthcare can Help
Call us at 833.698.0453 to learn all the details about how we will create a custom program for your family around your schedule. We will be glad to answer your questions directly, or you can have a look at our site to see more details about these programs. We want to welcome you into our supportive and inclusive community today. We accept both Medicaid and private insurance.
