3 ARTICLES RELATED TO ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
(Additionally, you will find in the Website of the Week (08/03/2020) additional sources for the topic from NIMH and NIH. Also, the Podcast of the Week (08/03/2020) features discussions of child and adolescent mental health provided by the Anna Freud Centre.)
(These articles, podcast, and website are a repeated request given the seriousness of the current covid-19 problems.)
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
Teenagers Say Depression and Anxiety Are Major Issues Among Their Peers
DESCRIPTION
This is an excellent article regarding mental health in adolescents, behavioral issues, social media, and socioeconomic status. This article summarizes a major survey and “found that 70 percent of teenagers saw mental health as a big issue. Fewer teenagers cited bullying, drug addiction or gangs as major problems; those from low-income households were more likely to do so.” The article presents easy to understand results from the study. This article can be used in discussion of adolescent development, abnormal behavior, health Psychology and so on. The link to the survey research is provided here (http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2019/02/20/most-u-s-teens-see-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-major-problem-among-their-peers/) and in the article. So the reading can also be used as an example of important survey research under the scientific method.
SOURCE
New York Times, February 20, 2019, by Karen Zraick
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/health/teenage-depression-statistics.html
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/y2meft4b
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ARTICLE #2
TITLE
Can you teach students to be happy? Colleges are trying.
DESCRIPTION
Many questions arise when discussing the mental health of college students. Though the students may go to good schools, have sufficiency in their socioeconomic status, there are a great number of mental health issues experienced. If you read the article #1, you can make the leap to understanding how pervasive the problems continue even into college life. “It comes at a time when universities across the country are desperate for new ways to improve mental health on campus. A 2018 study found that college students are reporting increasing levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for the eighth year in a row. Although many colleges, including Penn, have hired more counselors and increased counseling center hours, some are wondering whether there’s more to be done. Can they stop the problem before it begins? Teach students to be more resilient, mentally healthier, maybe even happier?” The article presents a number of ways that universities attempt to handle the problems through programs aimed at improving mental health. Highlighted is a course at University of Pennsylvania applying concepts of Seligman’s Positive Psychology. This article can be used in discussion of adolescent development, abnormal behavior, health Psychology and Positive Psychology.
SOURCE
The Inquirer (philly.com), February 18, 2019, by Aneri Pattani
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.philly.com/health/positive-psychology-college-mental-health-penn-temple-20190218.html
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/y3k4b2w9
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ARTICLE #3
TITLE
Common myths about adolescent mental health and warning signs for parents
DESCRIPTION
This is a terrific easy to read and great for discussion article. It focuses on the MYTHS of mental health in children and adolescents. It will be very useful in discussion of psychopathology and abnormal behaviors, health psychology, and treatment issues. It is useful for students to clarify the genuine issues of mental health and development given the increasing severity of problems.
SOURCE
USA TODAY, October 15, 2018, by Randy Brazie
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) http://tinyurl.com/yd72fol9
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CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What is alarming about the findings of mental health issues in adolescents and college age students?
•What are the types of specific problems that are experienced?
•How is the research performed?
•What are some colleges doing to promote positive mental health in adolescents?
•What are the MYTHS of mental health? What are the recognized signs that an adolescent is experiencing a serious issue? What are the recommendations to parents regarding treatment?
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