Risks of Delaying Mental Health Care During the Holidays

During the holiday season, many families spend more time together than usual, at meals and other seasonal activities. That means more chances to notice a teenager’s mood, attitude, and general level of well-being. For parents, taking a pause from the whirlwind school-year schedule to closely observe their teens’ behavior can turn out to be a concerning wake-up call.

Often through no fault of their own, it can take some time for parents to recognize that their teen has a mental health issue that requires treatment. For one, it can be difficult to distinguish between teen angst and depression. Moreover, some teens may hide their suffering, or their mental health conditions may manifest as behavioral issues like aggression and anger. Or parents may assume that a moody teen is suffering from a temporary issue like stress during the holidays or the holiday blues.

As a result, a teen may have been suffering with a mental health issue for some time before it becomes clear that they need more support than the family is able to give. When that is the case, a delay in accessing treatment can be life threatening.

Why Starting Treatment Early Is Essential

Accessing teen treatment as early as possible can prevent dangerous consequences and keep a teen mental health disorder from becoming significantly worse. Putting off teen treatment increases the risk of:

A mental health crisis, such as a panic attack or suicide attempt
Teen substance abuse, as a way to self-medicate the emotional pain of a mental health condition—increasing the potential for overdose or injury
Cutting or other self-harming behaviors
A visit to the emergency room for mental health
Escalation of trauma into long-term PTSD

Mental Health Warning Signs to Watch for During the Holiday Vacation

When observing a teen’s mental health, look for these physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive warning signs that may indicate anxiety, depression, or traumatic stress:

Physical

Low energy, lethargy
Pallid complexion
Coordination problems
Headaches
Digestive issues
Hyperarousal (heightened sensitivity to stimuli)

Emotional

Anxious thoughts
Emotional numbness
Anger
Sadness
Guilt
Shame
Fear
Avoiding situations or conversations that trigger negative feelings

Behavioral

Substance abuse
Eating disorders
Compulsive behavior
Changes in relationships with family or friends
Isolation and social withdrawal
Violent or aggressive behavior

Cognitive

Trouble concentrating
Memory lapses
Intrusive thoughts
Flashbacks
Dissociation (feeling disconnected from one’s thoughts, feelings, and sense of identity)

How to Start the Process of Finding Teen Treatment

Understanding the wide range of ways in which teen mental health issues manifest can help parents and caregivers recognize when it’s necessary to schedule a full mental health assessment. A clinical professional can then determine what level of care is appropriate, whether that’s weekly therapy, outpatient programming, or residential treatment.

Here are five ways to take action right away to ensure a teen receives the help they need.

Find an outpatient mental health center in your area. Outpatient clinics often provide free assessments and will refer individuals to other facilities or options if outpatient care is not appropriate.
Contact your insurance company to find out about your coverage for mental healthcare and what treatment facilities they work with. Many people are not aware that their policy includes coverage for their child’s mental health treatment.
Ask your pediatrician or other healthcare provider for a referral or a list of mental health providers in your area. Keep going down the list until you find a therapist who will take new clients and preferably accepts your insurance. If they’re not taking new clients, ask them if they’ll help you find someone who does, or if they are willing to do an assessment to help you determine the right level of care for your teen.
If a teen is in crisis, call 911 or go to the emergency room of your local hospital. Here’s how to navigate an ER visit for mental health.
Contact Newport Academy to learn more about treatment options and schedule a free teen mental health assessment. Newport’s Admissions counselors will help you determine what level of care may be appropriate for your child and support you with the insurance verification process. If Newport is not the right fit, ask to be transferred to a Clinical Outreach representative in your area to find out about the other options available to you.