LCSD COVID-19 Mental Health Awareness Volume I | Page 22

Adolescents age 12 to 17 may:
⊲ ⊲ Have nightmares or other sleep problems.
⊲ ⊲ Avoid reminders of the event.
⊲ ⊲ Use or abuse drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
⊲ ⊲ Be disruptive or disrespectful or behave destructively.
⊲ ⊲ Complain of physical problems such as stomachaches and headaches.
⊲ ⊲ Become isolated from friends and family.
⊲ ⊲ Be angry or resentful.
⊲ ⊲ Lose interest in fun activities.
In addition, children and adolescents may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths.
They also may have thoughts of revenge.
Many of these are normal and expected early responses, which for most people will lessen
with time. If they last for more than a month, contact a licensed mental health professional.
If You or Someone You Know Is
in Crisis and Needs Immediate Help
Some symptoms require immediate emergency care. If you or someone you know is
thinking about harming themselves or attempting suicide, seek help right away:
⊲ ⊲ Call your doctor.
⊲ ⊲ Call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.
⊲ ⊲ Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24-hour toll-free hotline, at
800-273-TALK (8255). The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via
TTY at 800-799-4889. The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
⊲ ⊲ Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a person’s social
media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. For more information about how
to contact social media outlets, visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at https://
suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-someone-else.
Take any comments about suicide or wishing to die seriously—even those said by
children and adolescents. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will
attempt suicide, the person is in distress and can benefit from your help in finding
treatment. For more information about suicide prevention, visit www.nimh.nih.gov
(search word: suicide prevention).
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress
Helpline provides crisis counseling (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) for those
experiencing emotional distress due to natural or human-made disasters. This service
is provided in more than 100 languages and is confidential. To contact the helpline:
⊲ ⊲ Call 800-985-5990.
● ● Spanish speakers can call 800-985-5990 and press 2.
● ● The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Helpline via TTY at 800-846-8517.