As parents, we all want the best for our children and loved ones. This includes good health, healthy and positive friendships, healthy emotional wellbeing and bright futures. However, right now, many families across the West Midlands are struggling with mental health, including our young people.
As the pressures and stresses of young people grow year on year, recognising the signs of poor mental health and addiction issues in young people is more crucial than ever.
In this article, we will explore what parents across the Malvern area need to know about mental health and substance abuse when it comes to young people. We will also explore the warning signs to look out for, how to have constructive conversations around mental health and addiction, and where to find help locally if your child is struggling with their mental health or addiction issues.
Mental Health and Substance Use in the Youth
It’s no secret that young people across the UK are experiencing more pressure and mental health issues than ever before. There are a number of different stresses and pressures for young people in this day and age, including academic expectations, social media pressures and pressures to look a certain way.
In fact, a recent study found that approximately 12,500 young people under the age of 18 were in contact with alcohol and drug support services between April 2022 and March 2023 across the UK, which is a 10 % increase from previous years. Of these individuals who needed treatment, 44% were reported to have issues with alcohol addiction and a staggering 87% were said to suffer from an addiction to cannabis.
However, this study is also keen to highlight that this doesn’t necessarily mean all young people in the study are dependent on drugs or alcohol. What it does show is that a significant number of teenagers are using substances in a way that worries professionals, parents and carers who often know the child the best.
What is even more concerning is the overlap between substance use and mental health. This is often referred to as a dual diagnosis. In fact, almost 50% of all young people starting treatment reported a need for mental health support alongside help for substance use. In addition to this, girls in particular were more likely to disclose mental health difficulties that boys [1].
The Warning Signs to Look Out For
There are a number of different warning signs that you should be looking out for if you suspect that your child is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Too often, parents dismiss low mood, shifts in behaviour and anger issues for simple teenage behaviour. Whilst this is often the case, these can often be the same signs and symptoms of someone who is struggling from drug and alcohol addiction or even mental health issues.
It is important to understand that early warning signs do exist and recognising them can prevent your child’s addiction or mental health issues escalating and turning into a crisis.
Young people struggling with mental health issues may display a sense of irritability, sadness or depression. Likewise, they might lose interest in things that they once found joy in, such as certain hobbies. They might start to withdraw from wanting to spend time with those that they love and might even change their friendship groups.
They might display emotional outbursts and start to get more emotional and teary on a regular basis. Likewise, they might find themselves struggling to focus, concentrate or even remember certain tasks.
There are also a number of behavioural and social indicators that someone is struggling from a drug or alcohol addiction such as an increase in risk taking behaviours, a worsening sense of personal hygiene, struggling to sleep or eat and using their phone on a more regular basis.
As discussed above, some of these mirror normal teenage behaviour. However, what’s key is the consistency, intensity and duration of the above symptoms. If the above symptoms last weeks rather than days, or if they significantly interfere with daily life such as schooling, education, friendships or routines, then that’s when parents should pay closer attention and alarm bells should start to ring.
How to Navigate the Conversation About Mental Health and Addiction with Your Child
Having a conversation about mental health or substance use isn’t easy, and it’s particularly difficult when having the conversation with your child. However, it is important to understand it is possible to have an open and honest conversation about addiction and mental health with your child, and it’s one of the most important things you can do as a parent.
If you are a parent worried about whether your child might be struggling with addiction or mental health issues, then here are some practical tips to help you to navigate the conversation.
It is important to pick the right moment to start the conversation. You should always avoid firing questions at a time of stress or conflict, such as around exam time. You should look for calm moments, such as during a walk, on a long drive or even while sharing a meal. You should make sure that you are having this conversation in a private place, so that your child does not get embarrassed about other people overhearing the conversation.
You should also try to ask more open-ended questions, rather than closed questions. For example, instead of asking “Are you taking drugs?” you should instead try “How have you been feeling lately?”
By asking open-ended questions and avoiding closed questions, you will be inviting dialogue and conversation rather than defensiveness and arguments.
You should also try your best to listen without judging. When teens feel judged, they shut down. Even if you hear something hard to accept, aim to hear the feeling behind the behaviour first.
Likewise, some parents find it helpful to share their own experiences of stress or setbacks they’ve faced. In some circumstances, this helps to normalise the idea that life isn’t always
smooth and asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. This will hopefully encourage them to open up to you and see you as a human and normal, flawed person instead of an authoritative figure who is simply lecturing them.
Support Services in and Around Malvern
If you recognise signs of distress in your child, there is help available locally which is also often free and confidential. There are a range of mental health support services available, some of which are listed below for you.
- Talking Therapies through the NHS which offers support for emotional wellbeing and a range of different mental health issues including anxiety and depression. You can contact the Malvern Talking Therapies services at 0300 013 5727.
- Neighbourhood Mental Health Service through the NHS offers different support teams across Worcestershire, including Malvern, providing community-based mental health support.
- Children’s & Young People’s Mental Wellbeing through the council. This offers early intervention services for children aged between 11–25 years old.
- Worcestershire Here4YOUth is a specialist drug and alcohol service for children and young people up to age 18. You can contact them by calling them on 0300 303 8200 or via email – [email protected].
- WithYou support services is a national charity offering confidential help with drugs, alcohol and mental health issues. You can search for local hubs through their service finder and even access online support and guidance for your child or loved one.
What Happens If Your Young Person Needs Detox or Rehab?
Sometimes, early support simply is not enough, especially when the addiction has been going on for a while and your loved one is severely addicted. In these cases, parents and guardians might explore recovery options such as alcohol detox or longer term alcohol rehab programmes [2].
If your child is suffering from a severe addiction, then they will need to undergo a medical detox. A detox programme helps the body clear substances while providing medical and psychological support. Alcohol rehab, whether outpatient or inpatient, helps young people to better understand the underlying causes of their addiction, develop new healthy routines, and build support systems that reduce the risk of relapse.
Conclusion
There’s no easy way to navigate teenage mental health or addiction concerns. Every young person is different, and each family’s journey will be unique. However, it is important to understand that if your child or loved one is struggling then there is help available.
You need to start by educating yourself on all things addiction and mental health. By becoming better informed and educated whilst observing changes in your child, you give your child a fighting chance of not just coping, but fully recovering from their addiction issues.
If you ever feel out of your depth when it comes to your child addiction and mental health issues, it is important to remember that you are not alone and that there is support available. From local mental health services to youth drug and alcohol support, there is help available for both you and for your child.
Article by Jack Harris.
