While many people may think of the end of the year as a time to slow down and take a break, a Toronto psychiatrist says young people are actually under more stress than usual in the lead-up to the holiday season. states that there may be.
“A lot of depression, a lot of anxiety, or just general difficulty with school as well. I think that’s what we see most commonly,” Dr. Kevin Gabel told CP24.com in a recent interview. spoke.
Gabel is a psychiatrist who runs the Day Hospital Program for Children and Youth at North York General Hospital (NYGH). The program provides academic, mental health, and coping skills to high school youth who have difficulty attending school due to anxiety or other mental health issues.
While parents may think back-to-school is the most stressful time of the year for children, they realize that November is actually one of the busiest months for young people seeking mental health services. Gabel said.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the added pressure of school,” Gabel says. “Sometimes it’s seasonal. As winter approaches, it gets a little colder and darker. It can be a little more stressful in that regard.”
He points out that while the beginning of the school year may provide students with an opportunity to settle into school after the quiet summer months, classes will be in full swing in October and November.
Eating disorders, social difficulties, and problems exacerbated by ADHD are some of the other problems hospitals are seeing on the rise, in addition to mood and anxiety issues.
A study released in August by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found an “alarming” decline in the overall mental health of Ontario students in grades 7 to 12. It was found that 37 percent had experienced increased stress levels and 51 percent had experienced increased stress levels. Reported moderate to severe psychological distress. This last figure has doubled over the past decade, the report’s authors noted.
The survey, which collected data from more than 10,000 students across the state, found that 33% of students felt they needed professional mental health support in the past year, but did not seek it. It turns out.
“The most common reasons for not seeking help are believing they can handle it themselves, fearing what others will think of them, and being ‘too busy,'” the report said. There is.
Teenager studying at desk (Pexels)
How to tell if your teen’s mood is worrying
Gabel said that while the stigma around seeking mental health services is decreasing, some young people may still feel ambivalent about seeking help.
“So we always encourage parents to have open communication with their teens and just be there and listen and try to understand what they’re going through. ” Gabel said.
However, he admits that it can be difficult to understand what teens are feeling.
Feeling depressed or anxious for days or weeks can be a sign that something beyond normal stress is going on, Gabel says.
“And then when it really starts to interfere with functioning. And the big areas that we’re looking for in teenagers are things like changes in their homes, in their schools, in their peers,” he says. .
Becoming avoidant, staying at home, and seeing fewer friends are other signs to watch for.
“So what we’re really looking for is really looking at persistence, whether something is persisting and to what extent is it interfering with functioning or actually reducing performance? It’s a big change,” says Gabel.
The good news is that many of the teens who do come are eager to talk about their problems, Gabel said.
“All of the therapists on our team who conduct the evaluations try to approach things openly and non-judgmentally. We just try to meet teenagers in their situations and understand what they are going through. I’m just trying to understand.’
Programs for people who have difficulty attending school
Gabel said North York General’s day program is “unique” in that it provides specialized services for children who are struggling with mental health and have difficulty attending school.
“In our program, they come in, they go to therapy, they go to school, and it’s usually about an eight-week program,” he says. “We try to help them transition back to their current school or possibly to another school or another program.”
The causes of mental health problems in teenagers vary, but Gabel says at least some of the patients he sees are struggling to readjust to life after the pandemic lockdown.
The number of mental health patient visits to NYGH’s emergency department doubled from 40 in September 2019 to more than 80 in September 2024.
“I think for a variety of reasons, I didn’t have to go to school for a period of time. I had the option of staying home,” Gabel said. “And I think some of those kids, even years later, can have a hard time getting back on their feet. If you avoid something or stop working on something, it’s hard to get back on track.” It becomes a little difficult.”
The holiday season can also be a challenge for struggling teens
“For teenagers, there’s definitely some stress around exams coming up and the end of the school year,” Gabel said. “Or if you are suffering from family strife that can worsen around the holidays.
“Socially, sometimes there are even more opportunities to connect with friends and co-workers during the holidays, but if your child is struggling with that, it can be a little more accentuated. Well, those are all challenges. I think so.”
How to ask for help
Evaluations at NYGH are covered by OHIP, and most youth mental health services are covered in some way, Gabel said. The hospital’s services are listed on its website.
If you need help or a referral to other mental health services, contact Kids Help Phone or Help Ahead, a centralized phone line that provides access to mental health and wellbeing resources for children, youth and families in Toronto. You can also.
If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, please call 911.
You can also dial or text 988 to connect with the National Suicide Crisis Helpline.
