A Journey of Legend
Online Event Review
Youth Mental Health Crisis
For Dr. Wang’s expert talk on youth mental health crises, please watch the video above. Dr. Wang’s views are his own and do not represent UAC.
If you’d like Dr. Wang’s presentation materials, or to contact him with related questions, you can ask to join the group through the UAC WeChat assistant (scan the QR code to add it as a WeChat friend).
Before Professor Chaosong Wang’s talk, did you already know that:
- 30% of high school students suffer from depression, and 17% have considered suicide
- Depression is the leading cause of suicide, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds
- About 60% of teens with depression receive no treatment, and Asian families make less use of psychiatric resources
Did you also know that:
- Depression is a physical illness. Neuroscience has shown that depression is closely linked to imbalanced neurotransmitters, a lack of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, hormonal imbalances and more. It is like a cold of the brain: it often comes back, but it can be treated
- Its basic treatments are psychotherapy and medication
- Yoga, meditation and exercise can all raise levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other neurotransmitters, easing depression
Did you know that one symptom of depression, agitation, is often mistaken for teenage rebellion? And did you know about these resources and useful books?
- Website: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) – the website of the child psychiatrists’ association, with basic information and advice on everything from normal adolescent development and common mental illnesses to the challenges teens face, such as cyberbullying, divorce and confusion about sexuality
- Website: suicide risk factors listed by Boston Children’s Hospital
- Website: NAMI Basics – a good parent–child relationship is the most crucial key to preventing a crisis. To learn how parents can build a close relationship with their children, built on mutual trust and respect, where they can talk about anything, we can turn to NAMI Basics
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Documentary: Looking for Luke (Trailer)
- Documentary: Not Alone (Trailer)
- Book: All the Presidents’ Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America’s First Families
- Book: His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina
- Book: Shock: The Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy
What stayed with us most from Dr. Wang’s talk:
- Early: Identifying crisis (monster) as early as possible
- Family work: Working together and never give up. Let the child feel there is hope; don’t let them get stuck in the dark.
This applies not only to children, but to parents too – to all of us.
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