In light of the concerning mental health struggles faced by teenagers, a recent survey from the CDC has revealed that 42% of high school students in Illinois report experiencing daily feelings of sadness or hopelessness for two or more weeks. In response to this pressing issue, Communities in Schools of Chicago is actively working to equip adults with the skills to identify when teenagers are grappling with these challenges.
Dr. Judith Allen, Chief Operating Officer and Clinical Director of Communities in Schools of Chicago, explains that their primary focus is on providing educational support and complementing the efforts of counselors within the Chicago Public Schools system. It is essential, she emphasizes, for parents and adults to understand what is typical behavior for their teenagers and to recognize significant changes in their well-being.
Dr. Allen elaborates, “If a child who typically enjoys a regular amount of sleep starts sleeping excessively or consumes more food than their usual baseline, it’s a signal that something might be amiss. In such cases, we need to be able to step in and inquire, ‘What’s going on?'”
To address this critical need, the organization offers mental health first aid training to adults. The training aims to empower adults to acknowledge when something seems slightly amiss with adolescents and provides them with the tools to offer support and assistance.
As teenage mental health concerns continue to be a growing issue, Communities in Schools of Chicago is taking proactive steps to ensure that adults are well-equipped to identify signs of distress in teenagers and provide the necessary support and care.
