Cycle of Health
Teen Mental Health
Season 16 Episode 4 | 26m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Exploring teen mental health and offering tools for better well-being in the community.
On this episode of Cycle of Health, we delve into the sensitive topic of teen mental health and its pervasive stigma. Experts provide strategies for equipping viewers with tools to support struggling teens and promote mental well-being in schools and communities.
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Cycle of Health is a local public television program presented by WCNY
Cycle of Health
Teen Mental Health
Season 16 Episode 4 | 26m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
On this episode of Cycle of Health, we delve into the sensitive topic of teen mental health and its pervasive stigma. Experts provide strategies for equipping viewers with tools to support struggling teens and promote mental well-being in schools and communities.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Cycle of Health
Cycle of Health is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

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TONIGHT'S TOPIC: TEEN MENTAL HEALTH.
OUR TEENS ARE NAVIGATING A COMPLEX, FAST-PACED WORLD FILLED WITH PRESSURES, EXPECTATIONS, AND CHALLENGES THAT CAN SOMETIMES FEEL OVERWHELMING.
TONIGHT WE ARE JOINED BY TWO EXPERTS WHO WILL PROVIDE STRATEGIES FOR BREAKING DOWN THE STIGMA, EQUIPPING VIEWERS WITH TOOLS TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING TEENS, AND PROMOTING MENTAL WELL-BEING IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO CYCLE OF HEALTH, I'M DR. RICH O'NEILL.
TONIGHT'S TOPIC: TEEN MENTAL HEALTH.
OUR TEENS ARE NAVIGATING A COMPLEX, FAST-PACED WORLD FILLED WITH PRESSURES, EXPECTATIONS, AND CHALLENGES THAT CAN SOMETIMES FEEL OVERWHELMING.
TONIGHT WE ARE JOINED BY TWO EXPERTS WHO WILL PROVIDE STRATEGIES FOR BREAKING DOWN THE STIGMA, EQUIPPING VIEWERS WITH TOOLS TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING TEENS, AND PROMOTING MENTAL WELL-BEING IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.
LET'S MEET OUR GUESTS: DR. MONIQUE WINNETT, LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH DR. JESSICA UMINA, DIRECTOR OF THE ADOLESCENT INTENSIVE SERVICES PROGRAM AND ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AT UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY SO, DOCTOR, TELL US, AND OUR PARENTS LISTENING, HOW BAD THIS IS PROBLEM?
>> YES, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, RICH.
I WANTED TO CITE SOME RECENT RESEARCH THAT HAS COME UP FROM CDC RECENTLY.
THIS IS RESEARCH THAT HAS COME OUT FROM TWON, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE SINCE COVID.
AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 42% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE FEELING SAD OR DEPRESSED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES.
22% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE CONSIDERING SUICIDE.
18% ACTUALLY MADE A PLAN AND 10%, ONE IN 10 HAD ACTUALLY MADE AN ATTEMPT, AT LEAST ONCE WITHIN THAT PAST YEAR.
>> ONE IN 10 KIDS THAT'S AMAZING .
WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS, RISK FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THIS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE EARLY ON, 2010 WHEN THE ORIGINAL STATS WERE DONE.
WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS CONTRIBUTING TO THAT PROBLEM?
>> SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY QUITE A FEW RISK FACTORS.
WHAT WE FIND IS THAT MALES TEND TO MAKE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN FEMALES.
FEMALES HAVE MORE SUICIDE IDEATION.
AND SOME OF THE FACTORS ARE SUICIDE IDEATION.
THAT'S A WHOLE SPECTRUM.
IT COULD BE SOMETHING ALONG THE LINE OF I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE I WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.
I WISH I WASN'T AROUND ANYMORE TO ACTIVE WILL I CREATING A PLAN ON HOW YOU WOULD WANT TO DIE BY SUICIDE.
OTHER RISK FACTORS ARE THINGS LIKE BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HISTORY OF IMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS, SELF HARM IS A RISK FACTOR.
WE SEE THE RESEARCH THAT THERE IS A VERY STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN SELF HARM AND ACTUAL SUICIDE ATTEMPTS.
>> SO WHEN YOU SAY SELF HARM, I ASSUME YOU SEE THIS IN YOUR PRACTICE, TOO.
WHAT ARE YOU ACTUALLY SEEING IN YOUR PRACTICE?
WHAT ARE THE KIDS ACTUALLY DOING?
>> ANY ACTIVITY WITH INTENT TO HURT THEMSELVES.
THAT CAN BE CUTTING THEMSELVES, IT CAN BE USING THINGS TO BURN THEMSELVES.
SOMETIMES THING LIKE VERY RESTRICTIVE EATING, BANGING THEIR HEADS INTO WALLS OR OTHER OBJECTS.
YEAH, SO ANY TIME WHERE SOMEBODY IS INTENTIONALLY DOING SOMETHING TO HARM THEIR PERSON.
>> HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND SELF-HARM?
WHY DO KIDS DO THAT?
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE-- OBVIOUSLY WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HURT YOURSELF?
>> OF COURSE.
THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THE QUICKEST ANSWER IS THAT IT WORKS.
IT'S EFFECTIVE AND IT'S QUICK AND IT WORKS.
>> IT WORKS TO HURT YOURSELF BUT WHAT DOES IT WORK... WHAT, WORK IN WHAT WAY?
>> WORKS TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.
VERY OFTEN WHEN TEENS ARE SELF-HARMING, IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE FEELING VERY EMOTIONALLY OVERWHELMED AND NOT SURE HOW TO CALM THEMSELVES DOWN.
WHEN THEY SELF-HARP, IT CALMS THEMSELVES DOWN QUICKLY.
I HAVE HAD TEENS TELL ME THEY SELF-HARM BECAUSE THEY FEEL NUMB OR DISCONNECTED TO THEIR BODY AND IT HELPS THEM FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR BODY AND NOT FEEL NUMB ANYMORE.
I HAVE HAD TEENS TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS THAT GO THROUGH THEIR MIND THAT THEY CAN'T FUNCTION, THEY CAN'T PROCESS AND WHEN THEY SELF-HARM, IT SLOWS IT DOWN.
>> IT HELPS YOU, YOU CUT YOURSELF, YOU BURN YOURSELF, BANG YOUR HEAD, AND IT HELPS THEM CHANGE THAT NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE AND FOR SOME REASON IT HELPS THEM FEEL BETTER.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE ARE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SELF-HARM AND THERE ARE ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL.
SOMETIMES TEENS ARE SELF-HARMING AS A WAY OF COMMUNICATING, RIGHT, THAT I NEED HELP.
I'M IN PAIN, RIGHT?
AND THE ENVIRONMENT RESPONDS IN A WAY THAT'S POSITIVE FOR THEM.
>> WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ARE PROTECTIVE FACTORS?
WHAT KIND OF THINGS KEEP KIDS FROM DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES?
>> THERE IS A LOT.
A SENSE OF HOPE.
WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO INSTILL HOPE IN THE YOUTH TO HELP THEM KNOW THAT THE PAIN THEY'RE EXPERIENCING IS TEMPORARY.
THINGS GET BETTER.
LIFE WILL BE BETTER.
A HUGE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING, FEELING LIKE THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO OTHER PEOPLE, LIKE THEY HAVE A PURPOSE, LIKE THEY MATTER, A SENSE OF PRODUCTIVITY AND FEELING LIKE THEY'RE ACCOMPLISHING THINGS CAN GO A LONG WAY.
THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO TO BUFFER THESE THINGS THAT YOUTH ARE EXPERIENCING.
>> SO THIS IS WHY I'VE SEEN SOME STATS THAT SHOW THAT KIDS WHO ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SPORTS AND CLUBS, ET CETERA, AT SCHOOL, TEND TO DO BETTER.
I MEAN EMOTIONALLY SPEAKING.
AND THAT GIVES THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING AND A SENSE OF CONTRIBUTING AND BEING CONNECTED TO OTHER PEOPLE.
>> I MATTER.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE HERE.
I SERVE A ROLE.
I HAVE SUPPORTS.
I HAVE A TEAM AROUND ME WHO IS THERE FOR ME WHO I KNOW I CAN RELY ON.
I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SAW CHANGES IN SOME OF THE STATISTICS OVER COVID WHEN YOUTH DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A LOT OF THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY GIVING THEM THAT SENSE OF CONNECTION.
>> I NOTICED EVEN FOR ME, LIKE IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO THE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO WORK AND SCHMOOZE WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE HALLWAYS.
IT WAS LIKE, WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
AND YOU ARE SITTING BY YOURSELF ALL THE TIME I WAS SO GLAD TO GET BACK AND TALK TO PEOPLE AND COMPLAIN TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE PARKING OR JUST MAKE SOMETHING KIND OF CONNECTION.
OTHER THINGS THAT-- OTHER MYTHS FOR INSTANCE, ABOUT TEEN MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE PLIGHT WANT TO DISPEL?
WHAT KINDS OF MYTHS ARE OUT THERE.
>> SURE.
ESPECIALLY MYTHS AROUND TEENS THAT ENGAGE IN SELF-HARM ARE SUICIDE BEHAVIORS.
THERE IS A LOT OF MYTHS OUT THERE.
I OFTEN HEAR PARENTS SAY THAT THEY'RE AFRAID TO SPEAK WITH THEIR TEENS ABOUT THESE ISSUES OR EVEN OTHER PEOPLE LIKE WITH TEACHERS OR OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, SAYING THEY'RE AFRAID TO TALK WITH TEENS ABOUT SELF-HARM OR SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID THEY'LL ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT IT WILL MAKE THEM WANT TO DO IT OR MAKE THEM DO IT.
>> SO IF I RAISE THE ISSUE WITH MY TEEN TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE, THEY'RE GOING TO TRIGGER THEM TO ACTUALLY START DOING IT?
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.
>> MAKING THE ATTEMPT.
>> AND YOU ARE SAYING ABSOLUTELY NOT.
>> AND IT'S HELP HELPFUL TO BE MINDFUL HOW YOU APPROACH IT.
IF YOU APPROACH IT IN A WAY THAT'S VERY CRITICAL, YOU KNOW, IT'S FINALITY, YES, OF COURSE BUT IF YOU ARE APPROACHING IT FROM A WAY THAT YOU ARE BEING SUPPORTIVE, THAT YOU ARE WORRIED, CONCERNED, SHOWING THAT YOU CARE, IT WOULD NOT AT ALL INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WOULD SELF-HARM OR MAKE A SUICIDE ATTEMPT.
>> I SEE YOU NODDING.
HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST PARENTS TALK TO THEIR KIDS?
GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WOULD YOU-- HERE I AM, A TEENAGER.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ME AS A PARENTED.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO FOSTER THAT OPEN COMMUNICATION AND ENCOURAGE YOUR TEENS TO SPEAK.
WHAT IS A TIME YOU FELT GOOD TODAY, THAT YOU HAD POSITIVE EMOTIONS.
WHAT IS A TIME TODAY YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN FEELING DOWN AND DISCOURAGED AND OPENING IT UP AND ENCOURAGING THEM AND NOT HOP OFF THE BUS AND SAYING IT'S FINE BUT TELLING THEM THAT YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM AND BEING IN TUNE WITH THOSE EMOTIONS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE FOLLOWING THAT THEN IS HOW WE DETERMINE WHAT WE DO TO BE PROACTIVE AND RESPOND TO SOME OF THOSE SENSATIONS THAT WE HAVE.
>> SO NOT IN A CRITICAL WAY BUT WARM WELCOMING WAY.
WHAT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK?
NO, I'M NOT GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.
>> IT HAPPENS A LOT WITH ADOLESCENTS.
>> I REMEMBER DOING THAT WITH MY PARENTS.
UH-HUH.
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IF YOUR TEEN IS IN A PLACE THAT THEY'RE SAY THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE TO TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE READY AND IS THERE SOMEBODY ELSE YOU CAN CONNECT THEM TO THAT THEY MAY FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH.
SOMETIMES TEENS HAVE A HARD TIME SHARING THINGS WITH THEIR PARENTS AND I'VE WORKED WITH TEENS WHO HAVE SAID I'M AFRAID I'LL WORRY MY PARENTS.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO GET UPSET.
THEY HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE ANGRY WITH ME.
SO MAYBE THE PARENT ISN'T THE BEST FIRST PERSON FOR THEM TO TALK WITH AND MAYBE FINDING SOMEBODY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY CAN SPEAK WITH.
>> I THINK I'VE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH YOUTH JOURNALING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEIR PARENTS.
SAYING THE WORDS OUT LOUD CAN BE HARD BUT HAVING A WRITTEN DIALOGUE SOMETIMES I'VE SEEN ADOLESCENTS BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES DIFFERENTLY THAT WAY.
I THINK TO JESSICA'S POINT, JUST OPENING UP THAT DOOR AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE WHEN THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
I HAVE ALSO HAD SUCCESS SOMETIMES IF A TEENAGER IS NOT COMFORTABLE SHOWING THEIR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR PARENTS, ASKING THE YOUTH ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT SEEM TO MAKE YOUR FRIENDS UPSET.
DO YOU YOUR FRIENDS EVER TALK ABOUT WANTING TO HURT THEMSELVES.
DO YOUR FRIENDS ENGAGE IN DRUG USE THAT YOU KNOW OF AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE THE DOOR TO NOT ONLY LET THE YOUTH KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT YOU CAN HANDLE IT BUT IT GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT INTO WHAT MESSAGES YOUR CHILD MIGHTING MIGHT BE GETTING FROM THEIR PEERS.
>> LIKE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WHAT ROLE DOES SOCIAL MEDIA PLAY IN ALL OF THIS?
WHAT DO YOU GUYS SEE?
>> I THINK THAT THERE ARE PROs AND CONS TO SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS OUT THERE THAT CAN BE A DETRIMENT TO TEENS MENTAL HEALTH.
THERE IS A LOT MORE BULLYING THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN OVER SOCIAL MEDIA, SOMETHING ABOUT NOT SEEING THE PERSON FACE TO FACE.
>> ANONYMOUS, YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT.
>> ALLOWS YOU TO SAY THINGS YOU WOULDN'T SAY IN PERSON.
YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS AND DIFFERENT CHATS WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY SUPPORT THINGS LIKE SELF-HARM, TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT AND GET AWAY WITH IT OR HIDE IT THAT ENCOURAGE SUICIDE BEHAVIORS.
THERE ARE ALSO THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY ARE SOCIAL MEDIA THAT ARE THERE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT REALLY ARE PRO, YOU KNOW, PRO-LIFE AND PRONOT MAKING SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, PRONOT ENGAGING IN SELF-HARM BEHAVIORS.
A LOT OF MY TEENS WILL USE APPS ON THEIR PHONES TO MARK HOW LONG THEY HAVE GONE IN NOT ENGAGING IN A SELF-HARM BEHAVIOR OR SUICIDE BEHAVIOR AND THEY GET THINGS THAT POP UP LIKE CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
>> SO YOU MIGHT INTRODUCE YOUR TEEN TO SOME OF THOSE IF THEY AND BE AWARE OF WHAT YOUR TEENS ARE DOING WHEN THEY'RE ON THEIR PHONES AND ENGAGING IN SOCIAL MEDIA JUST IS TO BE AWARE, TO HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION, BE ABLE TO, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, LOOK THROUGH THEIR PHONE IF YOU FEEL THAT'S NECESSARY BUT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION AND WHAT PLATFORMS DO YOU CHOOSE TO VISIT, WHAT VIDEOS DO YOU CHAOS TO LOOK AT AND HOW-- DO YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK AT AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU.
>> I'M HEARING ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES YOU TWO ARE BRINGING IN IS BE OPEN TO CONVERSATION, BE WARM AND INVITING AND IN A WAY THAT MIGHT BE A WAY FOR KIDS TO DESTRESS AND I KNOW WE WENT TO VISIT A PLACE WHERE KIDS CAN DESTRESS, ELM DREFT CHILDREN'S CENTER WHERE THERE IS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM THAT KIDS CAN GO TO VOLUNTARILY TO GET A RESPITE FROM THEIR PARENTS, SOMETHING I CAN REMEMBER AS A TEEN WANTING A LITTLE TIME FROM MY PARENTS OCCASIONALLY.
SO WE WENT OUT AND VISITED.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
>> THERE IS A FEW THINGS THAT FAMILY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TEACHERS, CAN BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS EMERGING.
CHANGES IN EATING PATTERNS, CHANGES IN ACTIVITY AND INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY THINGS THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY ENJOY.
A BEHAVIORAL CONCERN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN.
A CHILD'S BEHAVIOR IS ALWAYS DRIVEN BY SOMETHING; AN IDEA THEY HAVE, A FEELING THEY HAVE, AND IN MANY CASES, A BEHAVIORAL ISSUE IS ROOTED IN A MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP WITH.
CHILDREN'S CRISIS RESPITE IS A THREE-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOUTH AGES 5-18 COME FOR A BREAK FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THEY MAY BE GOING THROUGH SOME SORT OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT IS IMPACTING THEIR ABILITIES TO KIND OF KEEP THEMSELVES TOGETHER AT HOME OR IN SCHOOL OR IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO WHEN THEY COME HERE, WE DO WORK TEACHING SKILLS, SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH THEIR SITUATIONS, PROVIDING THEM WITH INDIVIDUAL GROUP, FAMILY THERAPY, RECREATION.
LIKE I MENTIONED, BASIC LIFE SKILLS.
AND TRY TO KIND OF HELP THEM LEARN NEW STRATEGIES TO COPE WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING THROUGH THEIR SITUATIONS.
WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT A HUGE TRANSITION FOR YOUTH WHEN THEY COME HERE, DOING THE SAME THINGS THEY MIGHT DO IN THEIR HOMES.
MAKE SURE THEY GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME.
WE PICK THEM UP AFTER SCHOOL.
WE COME IN HERE AND WE HAVE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES OFF GROUNDS WHERE WE GO TO THE YMCA, WE GO TO THE ZOO.
ARTS AND CRAFTS, DIFFERENT REC ACTIVITIES HERE.
>> OUR CRISIS RESPITE PROGRAMS ARE STRICTLY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.
THE LINE THAT I USE FOR THIS MOST OFTEN IS THAT WE DO NOT NEED ENTHUSIASM FROM THEM.
WE JUST NEED THEM TO AGREE.
THE REASON FOR THAT BEING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MUCH GREATER CHANCE OF BEING HELPFUL IF THE CHILD AND FAMILY ARE BOTH AGREEING THAT THEY SHOULD BE LEER.
HERE.
>> KIDS COME HERE WITH DIFFERENT AGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES.
YOU CAN'T JUST USE ONE APPROACH BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ALL.
YOU HAVE TO MEET KIDS WHERE THEY'RE AT.
INDIVIDUALIZE YOUR APPROACHES, LEARN SKILLS AND ABILITIES FROM KIDS THROUGH ENGAGEMENT AND SEE WHAT WORKS BEST WITH THAT PARTICULAR YOUTH.
THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND THEMSELVES, WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEIR IDENTITY IS AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR YOUTH WHEN THEY'RE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S NOT STRUCTURED, DOESN'T HAVE A ROUTINE, THINGS THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY LEARN FROM AND THINGS THAT ARE MILD FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND.
I THINK THAT'S WHY WE ARE SUCCESSFUL HERE.
WHEN THEY GET HERE, A LOT OF YOUTH ARE ABLE TO BE MODELED AFTER THINGS THAT WE ARE SHOWING THEM AND DOING WITH THEM WITH THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE HAVE.
I THINK SOME FAMILIES MAY NOT HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE WITH THOSE KINDS OF THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING CHILDREN AND STUFF LIKE THAT SO WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE STRUCTURE, A LITTLE ROUTINE AND YOU WILL SEE AS THEY'RE HERE FOR THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT THEY ARE, THEY RELISH WANTING TO HAVE THE STRUCTURE AND THAT ROUTINE.
>> AS A CHILDREN'S CRISIS RESPITE PROGRAM, WE UNDERSTAND THAT CRISIS IS UNPREDICTABLE AND HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.
WE ARE PREPARED TO FIELD REFERRAL CALLS AND PROCESS ADMISSIONS 24/7, 365.
WE DO NOT SHUT OUR DOORS.
WE ARE HERE AND ABLE TO BE A RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY THE CRISIS IS HAPPENING.
>> SO THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM AND THERE ARE A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS.
WHAT OTHER TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE THERE, APPROACHES TO THERAPY, FOR INSTANCE?
IS THERE A VARIETY OF APPROACHES?
>> YEAH, SO I THINK THERE IS A VARIETY OF APPROACHES AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF TREATMENT.
SO AT UPSTATE WE HAVE THE ADOLESCENT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM AND THE TYPE OF TREATMENT THAT WE USE THERE IS DIALECTAL THERAPY.
IT WAS A TYPE OF TREATMENT CREATED IN THE 90s AND REALLY IS FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUICIDE IDEATION THAT HAVE MADE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS THAT ARE SELF-HARMING AND FEELING REALLY EMOTIONALLY DYSREGULATED.
IT'S A WONDERFUL EVIDENCE EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT WITH EVIDENCE BEHIND IT.
WE WORK WITH KIDS 12-18 YEARS OF AGE AND USUALLY IT'S ABOUT NINE HOURS OF CONTACT PER WEEK AND WE ALSO HAVE A LONGER TERM SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR PROGRAM AS WELL.
>> SO A WHOLE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.
>> WHAT ABOUT ST. JOE'S?
>> THERE IS A LOT OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS THROUGHOUT S.A.T.
JOSEPH'S.
MAYBE NOT WARRANTING A LEVEL OF CARE LIKE JESSICA IS SPEAKING ABOUT BUT NEEDING TO NIP SOME OF IT IN THE BUD AND GET INTO TREATMENT EARLIER.
MULTIPLE OUTPATIENT SETTINGS AS WELL AS SERVICES INTEGRATED INTO OUR PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES.
ST. JOSEPH HAS CRISIS SERVICES WHEN PEOPLE ARE FEELING IN ACUTE NEED AS WELL AS INPATIENT UNIT SO A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES.
>> SO IT MIGHT RANGE FROM LEVELS OF CARE YOU ARE MENTIONING MAYBE ONCE A WEEK GOING IN TO TALK TO ONE OF YOU FOLKS OR SOMEBODY ELSE ON THE STAFF.
OR MORE INTENSIVE TREATMENT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YES, THE SAME THING WITH UPSTATE.
WE HAVE AN OUTPATIENT PROGRAM AS WELL THAT'S MORE TREATMENT FOR THOSE TEENS WHO HAVEN'T QUITE REACHED THAT LEVEL OF CARE AND THE STEP UP WOULD BE OUR PROGRAM , THE I.O.P.
AND IF THEY NEEDED MORE INTENSIVE LEVEL OF CARE WOULD BE THE INPATIENT UNIT BUT DEFINITELY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CARE.
>> AND IF THERE IS A CRISIS, I DIDN'T QUITE CATCH WHAT YOU SAID WHAT WAS IT?
>> ST. JOSEPH'S HAVE THE C PAP PROGRAM WHICH IS AN EMERGENCY ROOM FOR PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES WHERE YOU CAN GO AND GET MORE IMMEDIATE HELP IF YOU ARE FEELING LIKE YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE IN THE MOMENT OR YOU NEED A PRETTY HIGH LEVEL OF CARE AS WELL AS MOBILE CRISIS SERVICES THAT ARE OFFERED THROUGH ST. JOES GLEF MOBILE CRISIS.
SO IF SOMETHING REALLY DRASTIC IS HAPPENING AND YOUR CHILD IS THREATENING TO HARM THEMSELVES, KILL THEMSELVES, YOU MIGHT CALL THE MOBILE CRISIS SERVICE AND THEY WOULD COME OUT TO YOUR HOUSE?
>> THEY DO.
AND 911 IS ALWAYS A GREAT RESOURCE IN THOSE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AS WELL.
AND JUST BY CALLING 911, THEY CAN HELP GET THERE AND HELP KEEP THE YOUTH SAFE AND GET THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO BE AND CONNECT THEM WITH OTHER CRISIS SERVICES THAT MIGHT BE WARRANTED.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND THE NEW NUMBER 988, WHICH IS A NATIONWIDE HOT LINE, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT'S A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN CALL AND ACTUALLY TALK TO SOMEBODY IMMEDIATELY WHO WILL JUST SORT OF TALK AND THAT'S AVAILABLE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I BELIEVE YOU CAN TEXAS WELL, WHICH IS A DEFINITE PULL FOR TEENS.
>> KIDS, YEAH.
>> PART OF OUR PROGRAM IS WE PROVIDE PHONE COACHING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK PRETTY MUCH 24 HOURS A DAY WITH OUR TEENS AND MANY OF THEM PREFER TO TEXT RATHER THAN ACTUALLY CALL.
IT'S EASIER.
SO I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY A PLUS.
>> WHAT ABOUT-- WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO SAY TEENS DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
THEY'VE GOT IT MADE WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE?
MAYBE THEY FORGOT WHAT IT IS LIKE TOWN A TEENAGER.
>> IT'S NOT WHAT STATISTICS ARE SHOW US.
THERE ARE A LOT ON TEENS IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC PRESSURES, CERTAINLY PEER PRESSURES AND CONCERNS THERE WHICH SEEM TO BE AMPLIFIED WITH USE THE SOCIAL MEDIA NOW.
CONCERNS ABOUT STRESSES WITHIN THE FAMILY AND HOW THAT IMPACTS YOUTH, THINKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.
AND WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY IS THAT EASY ACCESS EXPANDS WHAT WE HAVE EXPOSURE TO SO QUICKLY AND LOTS OF TIME AN ADOLESCENT BRAIN IS NOT PREPARED TO MANAGE ORDEAL WITH THAT LEVEL OF INPUT AND SO THAT CAN BE VERY OVERWHELMING ON A LOT OF LEVELS AS WELL.
>> I FIND THAT MYSELF.
I WANT TO TURN OFF MY PHONE.
I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO THE NEWS AT TIMES AND THESE KIDS ARE GETTING IT-- THEY ARE NEVER OFF THEIR PHONES.
>> THAT IS A CONCERN.
>> IT'S AMAZING.
>> THAT IS THAT INABILITY TO TURNS THINGS OFF.
I THINK WHEN I WAS YOUNGER IF I WANTED TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FRIENDS, I HAD TO GO OUTSIDE AND SPEND TIME WITH THEM AND WHEN I WAS HOME, I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.
NOW YOU HAVE ACCESS 24/7 AND TEENS VFN OR NOT GOING OUTSIDE TO HANG OUT WITH THEIR FRIENDS.
THEY'RE USUALLY CONNECTING WITH THEIR FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WEEK, THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.
>> AND THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT'S GREAT.
WELL, LISTEN.
THAT'S JUST ABOUT ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, I WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS: DR. MONIQUE WINNETT, LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH DR. JESSICA UMINA, DIRECTOR OF THE ADOLESCENT INTENSIVE SERVICES PROGRAM AND ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY IN THE NORTON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AT UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOW ABOUT WE PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND SHARE A GOOD LAUGH?
INCORPORATING HUMOR AND LAUGHTER INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE CAN BE A VALUABLE AND ENJOYABLE WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING.
WITH THAT BEING SAID: WHY DON'T SKELETONS FIGHT EACH OTHER?
>> I DON'T KNOW, RICH.
>> THEY DON'T HAVE THE GUTS!
WHAT DO TRANSPLANT NURSES HATE?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT?
>> REJECTION!
[LAUGHTER] WELL, IF YOU WANT TO SHARE A GOOD JOKE FOR OUR LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE SEGMENT TORE SEE MORE OF OUR PROGRAM, VISIT WCNY.ORG/CYCLEOFHEALTH.
TO HEAR OUR NEW COMPANION COMMUNITY FM RADIO SHOW, CHECK UP FROM THE NECK UP, VISIT WCNY.ORG/COMMUNITYFM FOR 'CYCLE OF HEALTH,' I'M PSYCHOLOGIST Dr. RICH O'NEILL AND HERE THIS IS WEEK'S MINI CHECK UP FROM THE NECK CHUP.
NECKUP THANKS FOR CHECKING?
>> HI, I'M PSYCHOLOGIST Dr. RICH O'NEILL WITH THIS WEEK'S CHECK UP FROM THE NECK UP.
FOUR TINY FRIENDSHIPS OR THE MAGIC OF GOOD MORNING AND JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
WELL, DEAR TUNE ERINERS, I HAVE LOVED RUNNING THE LAKES AT THE PARK AND TROTTING BY FOLKS AND SAYING GOOD MORNING UNTIL RECENTLY THAT WAS IT.
EVEN THOUGH I MIGHT HAVE SEEN THE SAME FOLKS A FEW TIMES.
BUT LATELY, ON THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME, I HAVE MENTIONED SOMETHING WE HAVE IN COMMON LIKE NICE AND COOL FOR THE JOG TODAY, HUH?
A BIT RISKY BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE GIVE YOU A BLANK LOOK.
OUCH.
BUT THE MORE I DO IT, THE MORE I FIND IT'S WELL WORTH BEING LEFT HANGING OCCASIONALLY.
LIKE THE OTHER DAY.
I WENT BY A COUPLE WITH THEIR LITTLE BOY AND I SAID GOOD MORNING!
LATER, THERE THEY WERE AGAIN.
LOVELY DAY, HUH?
AND THEY SAID YEAH SUMMER!
THE THIRD TIME I WAS JUST GOING TO NOD WHEN I NOTICED THEIR LITTLE GUY HAD AMAZING HAIR.
SO I PULLED UP SHORT.
YANKED OFF MY HAT AND SAID I USE TO HAVE THE SAME CURLY HAIR.
MY SON DOES NOW.
ISN'T THAT GREAT?
AND WE ALL CHAT ABOUT OUR GRANDMOTHER'S LOVING THE CURLS AND YAD YADA, YADA.
OFF WE WENT.
NEXT, DIDN'T ANOTHER JOGGER SHOUT A FUNNY AS WE WENT BY AND WE LAUGHED AND ON THE COOL DOWN, ANOTHER GUY SAID GOOD RUNNING, GUY, WITH A BIG THUMB'S UP.
ON THE SHADY BENCH SNACKING, ANOTHER STOPS AND ASKS HOW FAR I WENT AND SHARES HIS RUNNING TRIUMPH AND HIS DRIVE TOAD WILLS OVER AND WE CHAT ABOUT HOW RUNNING ACTUALLY STRENGTHENS YOUR JOINTS RATHER THAN CAUSING ARTHRITIS AND MY NAME IS RICH.
HI, COLLIN, JACKIE, AND THEY OFFER ME STRAWBERRIES AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RACE.
FOUR TINY FRIENDSHIPS ALL FROM A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON HERE AND NOW.
AND TO THINK, I WAS A SHY KID.
WHAT A LIFE, HUH.
I'M Dr.
NECK UP RICH THE CHATTY RUNNER O'NEILL.
THANKS FOR TUNING IN.
>> NEXT WEEK ON "CYCLE OF HEALTH..." >> TONIGHT'S TOPIC, OLD COVID, LONG COVID, NEW COVID.
AND VACCINES, ET CETERA.
AS COVID SURGES, AND SOME OF US GRAPPLE WITH LINGERING EFFECTS FROM PREVIOUS INFECTIONS, WE TALK WITH TWO EXPERTS TO DISCUSS LONG COVID AND THE RAPIDLY SPREADING NEW VIRAL STRAINS.
WHAT IS THE DANGER AND WHAT CAN WE DO?
♪ IF YOU WANT THE LATEST DATA TO AVOID THE DEFIBRILLATOR AND THE THOUGHT OF DIABETES GIFS YOU HEEBIE JEEBIEY ♪ AND YOU WANT THE ANSWERS ON THE CANCERS, DESIRE FOR FIRE WHEN YOU RETIRE, TUNE YOUR TELETO OUR "CYCLE OF HEALTH" ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
Preview: S16 Ep4 | 30s | Exploring teen mental health and offering tools for better well-being in the community (30s)
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