Mental illness doesn’t just appear; it has its roots deep in genetics and the societal influences that surround children and adolescents and carry them into adulthood. A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found nearly two million adolescents experienced a major bout of depression in the past year. Other findings include:
- Nearly 15 percent of high school students have seriously contemplated suicide in the past year
- 4,400 adolescents and young adults (ages 10-24) commit suicide each year
- 9 in 10 of these suicides suffered from treatable mental illness
- 63 percent of these showed clear signs of mental illness in the year before their death
- 149,000 seek emergency care for self-inflicted injuries
Parents and teachers who suspect a young person may be depressed or exhibiting other mental health issues should trust their instincts and seek help or provide referrals. Teens and young adults, who smoke and/or abuse alcohol and illegal or prescription drugs, may be likely candidates as sometimes these behaviors are an indicator of deeper problems. Identifying and treating mental health problems in early life may change the course of a young person’s life.
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
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