SALT LAKE CITY – It’s no secret that this pandemic has affected our mental health. But what does this impact look like for children?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the number of children and adolescents seeking help for anxiety and depression is rising across the country. The study found that emergency visits related to mental health increased by 31% last year.
The Vega family said their 14-year-old daughter is now part of the statistic, trying to take her own life two weeks ago.
The family in crisis
“If someone you love tries to take their own life, you feel like failing. And you question everything you’ve done. Like, “Did I do too much? Didn’t I do enough? “And it’s scary to be open about it,” said Brandy Vega’s mother.
The family said that when they first noticed a change in their daughter’s personality, they made her “become a teenager.”
“She was so fun and lively and just plain cute and creative. You know, in the last few years, she’s become more of an introvert,” Vega said.
Two years ago, they realized that these behavioral changes were not just part of growth, when at just 12 years old he tried to commit suicide for the first time.
“It was a complete shock. I mean he’s 12 years old,” Vega said. “It was just a complete shock.”
The family received help, and their daughter began therapy. Her older sister, Adia Vega, even took her to weekly meetings with her sister.
“I was just talking, and she was telling me about school and her friends, and I thought she was getting better,” she said.
It seemed to work. Then the pandemic hit, and the family said it affected the teenager’s mental health.
“It was heartbreaking for her because she has to be around people. She doesn’t learn well online,” Brandy Vega said. “She’s like, ‘I have to go to school, I have to have this. ”
Vega said staying behind at school was incredibly difficult for her daughter and by the end of February, her 14-year-old was in crisis again.
That night, they took her to the hospital. Their last battle is getting follow-up treatment, which they found difficult to find.
“The mental health crisis for teenagers and young people is on the roof. You can’t take them to a counselor. They don’t take new patients. Everyone is overwhelmed. Treatment facilities are overwhelmed,” Vega said.
National picture of adolescent mental health
The Vega family is not alone. The CDC found that children aged 5 to 11 seeking emergency mental health care in 2020 increased by 24% compared to 2019. For children aged 12 to 17, these visits increased by 31%. .
Utah has seen a similar increase in the use of mental health resources. Fortunately, this did not translate into an increase in suicides.
“During the pandemic, our teenager [suicide] the numbers haven’t risen, “said Michael Staley, a suicide research coordinator at the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office.
Last year’s numbers are not complete, but in the first nine months of 2020, there were 28 suicides in Utahns between the ages of 10 and 17. Staley said that number is likely to match what the state has seen over the past three years for that age group: 42 in 2017 and 40 in both 2018 and 2019.
“Utahns seem to be quite resilient at least so far. We are still in the middle of the pandemic, but Utahns has gone through that and our suicide rate has not increased,” he said.
Don’t be afraid to have that conversation.
– Michael Staley, Suicide Research Coordinator, Utah Examiner’s Office
CrisisLine suicide prevention calls in Utah have increased in the first 10 months of 2020.
“It’s hard to know if this increase was due to the pandemic or is part of the usual growth,” Staley said.
Regardless, Staley said it’s time to talk to our teens about suicide, even if it may feel like a difficult conversation.
“Don’t be afraid to have that conversation. You can always ask, ‘Are you thinking about suicide? Do you think you might want to end your life? Are you going to kill yourself?’ which they don’t know about, “he said.
You have the courage to have tough conversations
Having those tough conversations is what the Vega family pushes others to do from their own experience.
“Sometimes children want us to ask them hard questions. They don’t want to come and tell us, but they are willing to be honest if we ask them,” Vega said.
They hope that by sharing their story, others will realize that they are not alone and that there are steps you can take right now to help your children.
“Our job as parents is to protect our children. And this is one of the biggest threats they face,” Vega said. “If you are not willing to go to this discussion, you may not have the opportunity.”
Vega’s daughter is currently in a hospital unit for treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available. The Utah Department of Health indicates three mental health resources:
- Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Free Safe UT app
- www.liveonutah.org, where parents can find step-by-step instructions on how to start a conversation with their children
Suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or warning signs, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Additional crisis helplines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433
- Salt Lake County / UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Text Line: Send “HOME” to 741-741
- Trevor hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
In an emergency
- Call the police
- Go to the emergency room
Related links
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Ashley Moser