les , Our Kids Health Heroes
By Harold S . Koplewicz MD , Child Mind Institute
What Biles and Osaka have done is to demonstrate that even the greatest among us can struggle , and it ’ s OK to admit it . It ’ s ok to pause , process and ask for help . It ’ s even ok to decide on a new path forward .
I can tell you that this honesty and strength translated into an immediate impact for the 12-year-old girl I am treating for separation anxiety . When I told her about Biles , I saw a feeling of relief cross her face . It said , “ Someone else feels like I do . I ’ m not alone .”
Mental health disorders are the most common health problems of childhood and adolescence , affecting one in five kids . And kids don ’ t just “ grow out ” of these challenges ; in fact , they increase the risk of later depression , school failure , substance abuse and suicide . More than 6,000 young people aged 15-24 die by suicide each year , and 1.2 million teens visit the emergency room each year for suicidal ideation or attempts . More chilling are those who suffer in silence : two-thirds of kids with a mental health disorder will never get the help that they need .
A big barrier to seeking care is stigma . When a famous person – a hero – speaks up , they give kids the most incredible example . A young person watching knows that if an Olympian or a tennis champion can prioritize her mental wellbeing on the world ’ s biggest stage , I can do it , too .
When athletes demonstrate this self-care it is even more important , because it explicitly shows kids that mental health is health . Mental health and physical health shouldn ’ t and can ’ t be seen as separate entities . We want everyone to pay attention to their total well-being .
Each year , the Child Mind Institute has a campaign featuring celebrities offering candid insights about their own mental health challenges . There is intense power in hearing that those whom we idolize share our struggles , our anxieties , our sense of uncertainty and even our shame . The second , and most critical , part of that message is that there is always help ; you just need to speak up .
Standing up for yourself and your health isn ’ t selfish , it ’ s heroic . Take it from the heroes we all admire .
JANUARY 2022 | 19