Recognizing and addressing youth mental health and substance use recovery – The Business Journals

For working professionals, the boundary between personal life and work life is often blurred. When a young person in their family struggles with mental health challenges or substance use, it inevitably affects their professional life as well. The stress, emotional burden and uncertainty can lead to decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating and increased absenteeism. While these issues may not be directly work-related, they can’t help but spill into the workplace.
According to a survey by child advocacy group On Our Sleeves®, 53% of working parents reported missing work at least once per month to address their children’s mental health needs, and 54% experienced workday interruptions due to these concerns. So what are some early warning signs of mental health challenges or substance use issues parents or caregivers need to be aware of? What resources are available? And how can employers provide support during these difficult times?
Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s mental health struggles significantly increased, with a notable rise in anxiety, depression and behavioral issues — primarily due to prolonged social isolation, disrupted routines and increased stress at home, along with limited access to usual support systems like school and friends.
While life has somewhat returned to normal in recent years, many of these mental health struggles have persisted.
“For many children and young adults, the pandemic was a source of trauma. Some may have experienced the death of a loved one, others might have dealt with homelessness or a health issue — and nearly all of them experienced a form of isolation that they are still processing,” explains Mona Townes, a licensed clinical social worker and addiction specialist and mobile crisis director at Integrated Family Services. “So while we may have thought these mental health struggles would have leveled off to pre-pandemic norms, that’s not what has happened.”
Recognizing the early signs of mental health struggles and substance use in teens and young adults can be challenging, as many symptoms can mimic normal adolescent behavior. However, according to Townes, potential warning signs may include:
If you notice any of these signs, Townes recommends starting by asking questions.
“I’m a mental health first aid instructor, and we spend a lot of time teaching observation and listening skills. If, as a parent, you are concerned about your child, ask open-ended questions. Don’t be argumentative or accusatory; simply provide a safe space to talk,” Townes suggests. “And while you can and should set appropriate boundaries and expectations, threats aren’t helpful in these situations.”
A common thing Townes sees in her work is parents who want to address concerning behavior by taking away their child’s cell phone or device — and she cautions against it.
“I’ve dealt with many calls where parents taking a child’s cell phone has triggered suicidal thoughts or ideation because, for a lot of youth, that is their lifeline and source of connection,” she explains. “Instead of removing that connection from them, consider a compromise where the child can use the device for a set amount of time. And encourage them to use their device to access resources or apps that support their mental health.”
One of the most important things parents can do to improve outcomes, Townes says, is to create a safe, supportive and non-judgmental home environment — and model appropriate behaviors you want to see your child mirror.
Steps include:
While family support is an important first step to addressing youth mental health challenges and substance use issues, there may be a time when professional help is needed. Reaching out to your pediatrician or family doctor, or your child’s school social worker or counselor, are both good options to access resources and support, Townes explains.
Another important thing to consider is normalizing mental health within the family before something becomes an issue.
“I’m a parent myself and I make a point a couple of times a year to have conversations with my children to check in and see how they’re doing. I also ask if they feel like they’d like to talk with someone outside our home about things they may be struggling with,” Townes says. “By having those conversations, my children know getting mental health support is not something to be embarrassed about.”
And if your child is struggling and refusing to get help, getting therapy for yourself is extremely beneficial, Townes continues.
“The fact is, we cannot come to work and be at our best when things are going on at home. There is a direct correlation between financial, spousal, family and health stressors and our ability to be productive in the workplace,” she says. “If you have an HR director at work, make sure to check and see what EAP (employee assistance programs) options are available to you. And I’d encourage all employers to create the type of work environment that prioritizes mental health and support. It’s in your business’s best interest to have healthy, productive and present employees.”
A survey of U.S. workers showed that 1 in 5 rate their mental health as fair or poor, resulting in four times more unplanned absences. When employees feel that their employers care about their overall well-being, they are three times more likely to be engaged at work. Create healthier, more engaged employees with the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work program.
For information about MHFA at Work, reach out to Triangle-based trainer Ruby Brown-Herring at www.rubybrownherring.com.
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