Recent studies are pointing to the rise in ER visits, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide among teens which has developed during the pandemic and has stayed on the rise.
The data show a 29 per cent rise in ER visits for self-harm and a 72 per cent uptick in hospitalizations in the age group 10-17 years.
Manager of counselling initiatives with Calgary Counselling Centre, Marcus Cheung says there needs to be a safe place for teenagers to be seen and heard in dealing with the causes of self-harm.
“It’s often caused by depression, anxiety, or perhaps the teenager is being bullied at school. So, in counselling, what we try to do is create a safe environment for them to talk to us about what’s causing that behaviour and for them to talk to us about their feelings as well.”
Cheung says the conversations unearth many underlying causes either at home, school or other areas of their life that are causing anxiety that leads to self-harm.
While the study goes on to identify things like the isolation and loss experienced by teens during the pandemic, Cheung deals with the helplessness and related issues that parents feel as they watch their teen struggle.
“Try to focus on showing the children that you are there for them. If they feel like they are ready to talk, try to just listen to them and not ask too many questions about why they have been self-harming, just to avoid the child feeling like we are judging them.”
Cheung says to show that you care, by letting your child know that we want to find healthier ways for them to cope. Cheung stresses the importance of seeking professional help.
Researchers say that apart from focusing on catching up on schooling that was lost over the pandemic, or even re-socialization, emphasis needs to be placed on extra-curricular activities, and more importantly, when a kid comes forward in crisis, they have access to the supports they need.
The study dealing with youth mental health and self-harm resulting in ER visits and hospitalization was authored in part by Dr. Natasha Saunders who works at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
