Monday, August 16, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News and Resources

“About two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported that abuse of opioid painkillers has risen more than 400 percent over the last decade. And, while it was dutifully reported here and here, there was no real outcry. Which indicates to me that somehow we in the media didn’t explain this well enough. Because this a big deal.” Read the rest of this Newsweek article by clicking here.

Ten Tools to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse

“Intentional misuse of prescription medications is the biggest teen substance abuse challenge today. Even if your kids aren’t yet using, the chances are great they will be offered these and other substances.” Click here to read about how you can “fight back.”

Poll: Teen Girls Not Fooled By Airbrushed Fashion Photos

A new poll “reveals that nearly 90 percent of girls are aware that the majority of celebrity images are airbrushed, and not an accurate representation of the celebrities’ appearances. For example, 71 percent respondents said that images of Britney Spears were regularly airbrushed, and 69 percent believed that photos of Kim Kardashian were modified and unrealistic.” Click here to read the rest of this LiveScience article.

More Than One-Third of Parents Concerned Teens’ Exposure to Media Hinders Parent/Child Communication about Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Use
Teens Now Spend 53 Hours a Week Immersed in Electronic Media, More Difficult for Parents to Find Time To Talk

“New omnibus research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America shows that more than one-third of parents are concerned that TV (38 percent), computers (37 percent) and video games (33 percent) make it harder for them to communicate with their media-engrossed teens about risky behaviors, like drug and alcohol use.  The survey of more than 1,200 parents also confirms that a quarter or more are worried that newer forms of media, including cell phone texting (27 percent) social networking sites, like Facebook (25 percent) and Twitter (19 percent) hinder effective parent/child communication about the dangers of teen substance abuse.” Click here to read the rest of this Partnership for a Drug-Free America press release, containing valuable information and current statistics on this topic.

More college students are afflicted with severe mental illness

“The number of college students who are afflicted with a serious mental illness is rising, according to data presented Thursday at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Assn. in San Diego.” Click here for the rest of this article from the August 12 edition of the Los Angeles Times.

Study finds connection between teen internet use and depression

“(NBC) – It’d be difficult to find a teen who doesn’t know his or her way around the internet. But now there’s evidence that too much time in front of a computer might lead to serious mental health problems.” Click here for the full NBC article.

12 Warning Signs of Anorexia She Doesn’t Want You to Notice

“(CBS) At a time when many Americans worry about being too fat, young women suffering from the eating disorder anorexia are dangerously thin.” Click here for this CBS article with a picture slideshow of 12 anorexia warning signs.

Experiencing Teen Drama Overload? Blame Biology

“”I still have, on some days, a wonderful relationship with my daughter,” Cregon says. “But it goes from this really back-and-forth, loving relationship to almost seeming like that person looks at you like you’re enemy No. 1. All the time. You know, it’s really tough.”” Click here to read or listen to a great NPR story on the evolving relationships between parents and their teenagers.