Forum to focus on mental health among teens, young adults

July 05--As chairwoman of the Kerrville Community Resource Coordination Group, Gayle Long has seen more people in the Hill Country diagnosed with mental health issues and at younger ages each year.

"But even with more people diagnosed earlier, services are very, very short in resources," Long said.

A panelist of area experts will discuss the issue in a forum titled Community Conversation on Teen and Young Adult Mental Health from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Schreiner Two Building,

955 Water St.

The community conversation is part of the Texas Department of State Health's statewide mental health awareness campaign focusing on teens and young adults.

"Mental health issues develop during adolescences," said Kim Williamson, a community education specialist with the Hill County Mental Health and Developmental Disability Centers. "Youth may not be well informed, but the sooner they get help with mental health issues, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome."

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, one in five Americans will experience a mental health issue during his or her lifetime, and one in 20 people will develop a serious mental illness. Half of all cases are people as young as 14 years old, and

75 percent of cases involve people in their mid20s.

Williamson said there are many risk factors associated with a mental health diagnosis, such as history of trauma, neglect, abuse and death of a close family

member.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, four million children and adolescents in the U.S. suffer from a serious mental disorder that causes significant functional impairment. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 15 to 24.

Williamson said early intervention is key to providing teens and young adults with resources, such as counseling or medication.

"We want to give them the resources they need so they can function and (mental illness) won't impair their daily lives."

The meeting will be in an open forum style.

"We're all stakeholders in a young person's life," Williamson said. "Everybody comes in contact with a young person, whether you're a grandparent, parent, youth minister, pastor or camp counselor. I think we all ... should care about young people's mental health and not sweep things under the rug or minimize the seriousness of mental health problems in children and teens and adults."

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