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Mental health challenges are now the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young Americans. Unfortunately, in recent years, the United States has seen significant increases in certain mental health disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Many factors shape the mental health of young people, from individual to societal level forces.
In December 2021, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the youth mental health crisis: “Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread,” Dr. Murthy wrote. “We know that mental health is shaped by many factors, from our genes and brain chemistry to our relationships with family and friends, neighborhood conditions, and larger social forces and policies. We also know that, too often, young people are bombarded with messages through the media and popular culture that erode their sense of self-worth—telling them they are not good-looking enough, popular enough, smart enough, or rich enough.”
Kimberly Dobbins, MD, is the chief medical officer at BasePoint, bringing over a decade of experience as a double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. Dr. Dobbins treats a broad range of mental health conditions at BasePoint.
“There’s a great deal of depression and anxiety.” She feels a lot of that is driven by kids comparing themselves to others on social media. “I don’t think social media belongs in everyone’s home or everyone’s phone or device. I think social media plays a big role in what we’re seeing in a lot of kids. There’s school anxiety and bullying and the bullying can lead to depression and anxiety, even suicidal thoughts.”
There are also other factors—genetics and possible childhood trauma. And there is the lingering experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our clients have to deal with a lot, but depression and anxiety are the most common conditions.”
Young people with depression and anxiety are often tempted to self-medicate their symptoms with drugs and alcohol. Teenage substance misuse is strongly correlated with the mental health crisis among young people. “Teenagers who use cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine are more likely to have underlying psychiatric symptoms, and worse symptoms, than their peers who are not regularly using substances, new research has found,” reported Matt Richtel in the New York Times in January. “The research […] found that such substances are linked to an array of symptoms and conditions, including anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and suicidal ideation. “
“I would say that substance use is pretty significant,” confirms Dobbins. “Marijuana use is significant. Kids don’t realize how potent cannabis has become because it’s all synthetic. What they’re using is synthetic most of the time. Even the bioform is synthetic these days, but they don’t think that it can harm them.”
Treating depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, and substance use disorder requires time and patience. “It’s important to have the time to meet with clients, spend time with them, get to know them, and see what they’re dealing with,” says Dr. Dobbins. “Being able to ask questions and taking the time to get to know them, so I can be their advocate as well for their parents, or other guardians. At BasePoint, we have weeks to see them, so I can offer the most important thing on the first day, or maybe the second visit, and then use the time getting to know what else they might need. I have time to start them, watch them, and see them throughout the week.”
BasePoint Academy is a mental health treatment center provider based in Forney, TX with a second location in Arlington, TX, and a third location in McKinney, TX. BasePoint Academy operates as a clinical center focusing on youth mental health conditions. We specialize in outpatient treatment for teenagers aged 11–18 who are struggling with mental health and substance misuse issues.
The partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) were designed to address the specific mental health challenges today’s teens are facing. That’s why we’ve created a dynamic program to address the multifaceted and complex teen experience that is unlike any generation before it.
A complimentary assessment with a licensed clinician will provide you with a recommendation for the appropriate level of care for your teen struggling with mental health. We can also check your insurance coverage. Call us to schedule a complimentary same-day assessment at (469) 629-6355 or complete our inquiry form.
