Wedgwood’s State of the Child – Mental Health

1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness.

At Wedgwood’s State of the Child, a panel discussion about the toughest challenges facing kids today, local teens shared their thoughts on these tough issues, including mental health. Our panel of experts – Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Judge Kathleen Feeney, Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project Coordinator Nikeidra DeBarge, and Wedgwood’s Anthony Muller – responded to what the teens had to say and provided insight on how they are seeing and dealing with mental health in their respective fields.

Watch the video below to hear what local teens had to say about mental health.

Though the stigma around mental health is decreasing, it can still be a hard topic to discuss, especially for teens. Between the pressure, they feel at school, from society, from parents, and even themselves – teens experience quite a bit of anxiety and depression – but don’t want to seem like they are struggling.

“We all need to pay attention to kids,” said Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff. “We need to watch for changes in their behavior, the unique signs.”

Panelists, throughout the event, encouraged guests to simply pay attention to the kids in their lives. They emphasized the importance of establishing an open dialogue.

“It’s important for adults to establish relationships so kids can feel comfortable talking about serious issues,” said Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young.

But even with the stigma around mental health decreasing, kids still often struggle because they don’t want to look like they don’t have it all together. But the panelist encouraged guests to never be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be a child needing additional help to deal with an issue, a parent needing support in raising a child who is struggling, or a parent themselves needing resources, it is important to reach out and not go it alone.

“We have to be more intentional about saying it’s okay to get help,” said Nikeidra DeBarge.

As the Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools, Michael Zoerhoff has seen kids struggle with a variety of issues, and what impacts how they deal with these issues. “Some of the biggest roadblocks I see in kids getting help are a cultural or socio-economic stigma,” said Superintendent Zoerhoff. “And if they can’t get professional help, they often turn to less-than-helpful sources on ways to deal and cope, which can lead to other issues down the road.”

Panelists noted many ways that our community is stepping up to help provide resources to parents and kids. Many schools have launched initiatives to provide education about and support for mental health, and there are several organizations in West Michigan that offer services for kids and adults. Wedgwood Christian Services is one mental health resource for West Michigan children, teens, and families. Click here or call (616) 942-7294 to learn more about our counseling and community programs.

 

Thank you to our generous event sponsors: