Kids’ mental health...
Feb 13, 2014 | 975 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
This letter is in regards to Antje Path’s article “Mental Health Matters: Depression in adolescents.” Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia and many other mental disorders prevent not only adults from focusing on the bigger picture, but adolescents are suffering from mental disorders more than ever before.

Originally, parents would not see such a predicament in their child. Most of these disorders may be viewed as exaggerations or distortions of normal behaviors and emotions.

Children are put under more stress than before. A few days missed from school and they are instantly put in the court system. I am not saying this is the root of the problem, but I know it plays a huge role.

My little brother who is 11 years old was put onto the court system for “disturbing the class.” It seems that the school system in Moab is lacking moral value. If an 11-year-old child is put in front of a judge for something so small as disturbing the class, then I have no hope for this school system!

Considering the abnormally large number of children suffering with a mental disorder, I suggest an examination be held in schools. If parents observed their child, this problem may decrease. Schools could also be more involved. Society does not want to accept that this is a problem. To bring the children the therapy they need into a friendly environment such as school could help the children so they could go on and live a normal happy lives.

The statistics are alarming! Many children every day are struggling with some kind of mental disorder. Teachers, parents, or any kind of adult supervisor should study a child’s behavior, making sure therapy or medication is appropriate. Mental disorders can be caused in many ways, but only few solutions or treatments can help mend the emotional destruction. And most medication for mental disorders is not prescribed to anyone under the age of 18 because it may cause a deeper depression or worse.

It takes a community effort to address this dilemma.

—Simone Westbrook



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