CHOC Mental Health Update | February 2021
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youth mental health struggles

Thank you Friend,

for being a champion for kids with mental illness in your community. Learn how you can help start the conversation about pediatric mental illness.

Nearly half of California youth report mental health struggles
Reflecting a national trend, 45% of California adolescents ages 12 through 17 reported having recently struggled with mental health issues. According to the study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Update, nearly a third of the adolescents surveyed also reported experiencing serious psychological distress that could interfere with their academic and social functioning; an elevated incidence of stress was experienced among poor, multiracial, gender-nonconforming and foreign-born young people.

Mental health podcast with Dr. Heather Huszti
Dr. Heather Huszti, CHOC chief psychologist, was among the first guests to appear in a new podcast from Be Well OC. Hope Happens Here will continually spotlight brilliant voices from the community, showcasing the powerful work being done to provide best-in-class mental health care and resources to all. Dr. Huszti’s episode, “A Parallel Epidemic,” highlights what’s going on in the world of mental health as it relates to kids and the pandemic, and practical steps we can take to support them.

Nine ways to help a child who has suicidal thoughts
Parents and family members can play an important role in helping a child who may be thinking about or even attempting suicide. Making sure kids feel safe in sharing their thoughts and solving problems together are critical. Here are nine specific things parents and other family members can do to help.

Youth dying by intentional overdose
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many mental health experts have noted an increasing number of teens who have attempted suicide by drug overdose. Here, one psychologist addresses the missing variable - the addiction epidemic – in tackling teen suicide.

Managing anxiety – a handout for kids and teens
Feeling anxious about new experiences is normal for kids, just as it is for adults. Sometimes, people need a little extra help managing their anxiety. Our experts have compiled a few helpful tips in a handout designed just for kids and teens.


This email is intended to share news and information about the need for pediatric mental health services in Orange County and CHOC’s role in meeting those needs.

This email is not intended to replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. This email includes links to other websites which provide additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of the CHOC Mental Health newsletter. Linking to a non-CHOC site does not constitute an endorsement by CHOC of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.

    
Long Live Childhood