Disciple: The Unseen Health Crisis

Today’s young are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis

By the Rev. Lauren Villemuer-Drenth

When a parishioner develops appendicitis, heart disease or cancer, the whole church community is generally notified. We send food, offer support, give rides, and show up in many other ways to help the person and their family. The person is added to our prayer list. Helping a person or family in crisis is one of the things the church does very well.

But there is a health crisis affecting many that is not easily seen. It is kept in the dark and quietly handled. This health crisis is the mental health of our young people. Though it certainly is not the only source or cause of the problem, the COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of this issue, mostly because it also significantly increased the number of children and youth struggling with mental health issues. It brought to light the many suffering from mental health issues and increased issues of anxiety, stress, and depression. The largest increase was seen in our young, who suffered from a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), both of which are noted by and lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, fear and stress.

The common understanding of PTSD is largely based on what we have learned from the experiences of those who have suffered trauma, such as veterans and survivors of abuse. But the PTSD suffered by our young people is not quite the same. The response to the trauma is based in fear. Our children have developed fear of illness, especially in their loved ones. They have fear of leaving home and being around crowds. They have fear that any sickness is more than a normal sickness. Their classrooms, once a safe haven, have become a place of stress for them. Their education and learning style regressed, and the challenges created by that have increased their feelings of isolation and fear of not being able to do the work.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ACE exposure is destructive and lasts a lifetime. Researchers have found many of the most common adult life-threatening health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, alcoholism and drug use, are directly related to childhood adversity. A child who has experienced ACE is more likely to have learning and behavioral issues and is at higher risk for early initiation of sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy.

These effects can be magnified through generations if the traumatic experiences are not addressed. What happens in different stages of life is influenced by the events and experiences that precede them, and they can influence health over a person’s life span. An expanding body of convergent knowledge generated from distinct disciplines (neuroscience, behavioral science, sociology and medicine) provides child healthcare professionals the opportunity to reevaluate what care is needed to maximize the effect on a child’s lifelong health. Importantly, an extensive body of research now exists demonstrating the effect of traumatic stress on brain development. Healthy brain development can be disrupted or impaired by prolonged, pathologic stress response with significant and lifelong implications for learning, behavior, health and adult functioning.

The numbers are staggering: 1 in 5 children have mental health concerns. Since 2019, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has increased 43%. Depression in children/youth has increased 37%. Suicide attempts in children 10-14 years of age have increased 200%. According to UNICEF, 1 in 7 youth (10 - 18 years of age) is living with a diagnosed mental health disorder. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports the most common health diagnosis in children is depression, anxiety and adjustment disorder.

Another issue that has come to light is the effects of social media on our young. According to the Child Mind Institute, screen time and social media are sometimes connected to mental health issues like depression, anxiety and ADHD. Research shows that teenagers who spend more time on social media also feel more isolated. In a catch-22, it could be that children and youth who already feel isolated use social media more. But it could be that using social media actually makes them feel isolated. Another theory is that social media is bad for teenagers’ self-esteem. Seeing lots of perfect pictures online might make youth (especially girls) view themselves negatively. Feeling bad about themselves can lead to depression. Social media can also cut into the time that children and youth spend on activities that make them feel good, like exercise and hobbies. Additionally, it can distract from important tasks like homework. Having to juggle those responsibilities can increase their stress. Studies also suggest that using social media at night interferes with restful sleep for many teenagers. It’s important to check in with our young people about their social media use and help them develop healthy habits. Children and youth can be encouraged to turn off notifications, spend plenty of time on offline activities that make them feel good, and put phones away before bedtime. Adults, also, can set a good example by modeling balance in their own use of social media.

Whatever the cause, one thing the numbers make clear is we cannot ignore or push aside this crisis any longer. The longer we leave this in the dark, the more isolated the child and family will feel. Despite the increasing rates of mental health issues, only 78% of the children and youth diagnosed with depression receive treatment. Less than 60% who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder receive treatment. And less than 55% of other mental health issue diagnosis continued in treatment.

WE CAN LEAD THE WAY

The challenges with mental health among all ages are only increasing. For children and their families, these challenges often include misunderstanding and dealing with isolation, shame and ignorance. Many caregivers hope mental health issues in the young will pass or prove to be just a phase. Parents may see their child’s mental health issue as a reflection on them and feel afraid of being judged as a failure. Children and youth can be made to feel increasingly isolated when they are told “to get over it” or “it isn’t that bad.” As they feel increasingly isolated, it extends to increased social isolation with their peers as they come to believe they do not belong or fit in. Those of us around these children and families often do not know what to say, and so either avoid the issue or the family, which, in turn, only increases feelings of shame and isolation.

As the church, we must learn to respond to those dealing with mental health issues as empathetically, thoughtfully and lovingly as we do for those dealing with any other challenge, medical or otherwise. We must educate ourselves and each other and offer ways to support our children and youth. We must do what the church does so well and open our hearts. As we care for physical needs such as feeding, clothing and housing, so must we care for mental health.

The church can lead in teaching skills such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, communication and parenting strategies. We can connect children and youth to caring adults and activities that promote acceptance and knowing they are beloved. We can intervene when we know of a crisis of any kind, to lessen the impact. If a child or youth says they are stressed or sad or lonely, we can listen and take steps to help them.

WHAT WE CAN DO

According to Lifeway Research, 37% of churchgoers have a family member or close friend who died by suicide. Yet only 27% of churches have a plan to assist families with a member suffering from a mental illness.

Without early diagnosis and treatment, children with mental disorders can have problems at home, in school and in forming friendships. Mental disorders can also interfere with a child’s healthy development, causing problems that can continue into adulthood. The crisis is not a problem the child will grow out of as they mature. What we do today affects the future of our children and our church.

It is in our Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love your neighbor as yourself, strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. When we attend a baptism, we enthusiastically promise to do all in our power to support these persons in their life in Christ. We do this because they need us.

We, as the church, are a place of sanctuary, acceptance and love. We are where people of all ages go when they feel alone or lost. As the church, we must recognize there is a health crisis in our communities and use our voice to make sure none are lost or left alone. In addition, the church can act preemptively, meeting our children and youth where they are, mentally and emotionally, and see the world through their perspective. We can preach our unhealthiness and challenge our congregations to be a helping and loving hand and listening ear.

Churches can provide education on mental health issues, stress and anxiety reduction techniques, as well as positive ways to approach families in need. We can teach skills such as:

• Self-care skills and why self-care matters
• Coping skills such as mindfulness, resiliency and meditation
• Parenting strategies, including discipline and stress management

At staff development and volunteer training, we can teach staff, volunteers and parishioners to recognize warning signs. We can give them the language to support these families. We can also teach staff, volunteers and parishioners what to do if they see that someone might need help. One does not need to be an expert in response to learn to recognize need. We can all be reminded to see each child as a beloved, special child of God and help them to see that, too.

We can be a leader in teaching mental health wellness, both within our congregations and out in our communities. As advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), we can provide the “means of empowering people to take more control of their own health and wellbeing. It encompasses several initiatives aimed at positive effects on mental health and relates to mental wellbeing rather than mental illness.” We can lead workshops on mindfulness practices, coping with stress, and coping with anxiety. We can be a leader in depression and suicide prevention.

We can teach and lead healing conversations. Simply talking about mental health can go a long way in reducing stigma. If we talk about the whole spectrum of mental health, this normalizes check-ins rather than creating evasiveness or defensiveness. Checking in with children, youth and families provides them the ability to start the conversation.

Talking about mental health on a regular basis makes it easier to talk during times of distress. Most importantly, we can listen without judgment. Ask the family, “How can I support you?” Call to see how they are doing during the week. They need us more often than Sundays.

We can provide intervention and support to families who are fearful of being judged. We can help families get the help their child needs by providing resources. We can support the family as we would any family dealing with a health issue. We can all know the signs that someone might need help. Churches can know local resources: Who are the doctors? Pediatricians? Therapists? Where are the after-school programs? All of it can help, but we must be willing to talk about it. We can act as a navigator–we do not have to fix everything, just do what we do so well and be there.

The church should have mental health issues as an ongoing pastoral care, as they would for any one person or family dealing with a chronic disease. If the Pastoral Care Team is not comfortable with direct response for any reason, then a mental health specialist or wellness coordinator should be a part of the team.

Smaller churches can band together to form wellness teams or coordinators to help and support each other. They can bring in speakers or hold workshops to help educate. They can pool resources to help each other do the work of the church. They can sponsor a Mental Health First Aid training.

We can do all of these things, and none of us has to do it alone. The Diocese of North Carolina has a Bishop’s Committee on Children and Youth Mental Health dedicated to supporting young people and their parents in navigating mental health challenges and supporting mental wellness. The committee has curated resources appropriate to different age groups, including the Collective Trauma/Collective Resilience Webinar Collection.

Whatever we do, what matters most is that we recognize that our youngest generations are facing a health crisis unlike any previous generation. They need our help, they need our love, and they need our understanding that mental health is as critical to a person’s wellbeing as any other physical consideration.

YOUR INVITATION

If you specialize in mental health issues, health wellness, or have a passion for our children and youth’s mental health, the Bishop’s Committee on Children and Youth Mental Health needs you! If you are interested in learning more about or serving on the committee, contact the Rev. Lauren Villemuer-Drenth or Lisa Aycock, diocesan lead youth missioner.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MENTAL WELL-BEING

Mental Health First Aid training is “an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges.” Learn more about it at mentalhealthfirstaid.org, or contact the Rev. Lauren Villemuer-Drenth to ask about course offerings in the Diocese of North Carolina.

The Rev. Lauren Villemuer-Drenth is the director of children’s ministries at St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem, and the chair of the Bishop’s Committee on Children and Youth Mental Health.

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH

NATIONAL SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Call 988 (24/7).

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