to think there isn't really anything that helps with mild to moderate mental health issues in teens?

[sharptoothlemonshark]

Just that really. I have many students in this category, and they all seem to feel that there is some sort of holy grail of mental health which is being deliberately maliciously withheld from them, but I don't actually think there is anything that helps.

Students with severe mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, or psychosis, there is treatment and medication.

But students with anxiety, depression, and things like that, there just isn't anything known that helps. I've known umpteen kids reach the top of the list and get to CAMHS, and be offered therapy, medication or whatever, but 9 times out of 10, it makes no difference.

There doesn't really seem to be any known treatment that works. We have not discovered anything yet.

In my experience (not a trained clinician) lifestyle changes can have a big impact, and family/friend relationships. Less time hunched over a tiny screen, more time moving. Physical activity that involves a sense of fun and community is really helpful, eg dance class or basketball with friends. Outside time. Enough sleep. A good diet. Feeling loved by their family. A regular sense of achieving small goals / doing meaningful work (eg sport, playing music, art or craft, a part time job).

There is Xanax, which is deliberately withheld.

DBT via Camhs saved my eldest daughters life.

I agree with all of this, but I feel it falls under "prevention" rather than "cure". And I think that is really the conclusion I have come to, there are ways to reduce the chances of mild to moderate mental health problem. There is no way to cure them

well, it is an addictive tranquiliser that causes hallucinations and suicidal feelings, its not great in adults! You have to be severely ill for it to be worth the risks, and even then many people give up on it

For my dd who had awful anxiety a combination of counselling with a great lady who specialises in working with children and teens plus going on the progesterone only pill worked wonders. If she misses a pill accidentally she gets anxious again so a lot of it was hormonal but the counselling helped her regain confidence after a long period of bullying battered her self esteem. As much as a loving family brings a feeling of safety she needed outside help to really be able to discuss her deeper issues.

Yes I don't think either the medication/therapy in isolation, or attempting the lifestyle changes in isolation while the teen is already suffering from the anxiety/depression, are likely to be a totally effective 'cure' - I think you need both to be working in parallel for there to be effective and long term results. Obviously an anxious/depressed teen is unlikely to decide or feel able to start new and confronting activities / change their diet / put down their screens / feel less academic pressure / work on family relationships etc just off their own bat.

But introducing those long term changes with the assistance and support of counselling or medication (as appropriate) is IMO the key, as otherwise they are just stuck in the same mental health cycle if those lifestyle pressures / imbalances are still a major ongoing part of their lives.

It can very much be cure, or reduction at any rate.

A weekly counselling session plus starting to go to the gym 3-4 times a week has made a big difference to my 14 year old DS

This!

I suffered a total mental breakdown and was put on Ativan in hospital WHILE I adjusted to SSRIs, the side effects for which were frankly hell on earth.

This is in contrast to the Avitan, which immediately took away any anxiety, panic attacks, nervous nausea and made me feel like I was back to my old self. Took it daily for five several months and tapered off no problems at all.

I am certain that if I'd be given this when my panic attacks first started, I wouldn't have had my breakdown, for which I am now on antidepressants.

But why would the medical profession want to provide a fast-acting treatment to ease symptoms, when they can have you on ADs for life. Oh wait...

Microdosing magic mushrooms.

"I agree with all of this, but I feel it falls under "prevention" rather than "cure". And I think that is really the conclusion I have come to, there are ways to reduce the chances of mild to moderate mental health problem. There is no way to cure them"

Those things can really help! Lack of movement is a bigger issue than people realise. If you consider stress hormones and fight or flight link ie movement then not moving can lead to issues.
Smartphones are messing up their focus so they're finding it difficult to keep up with studies and we all know that diet plays a massive part in wellbeing.

It's not a magic wand but will help teenagers to manage their stress and anxiety better.

As I've said above, this is misinformation.

It CAN be addictive. I was prescribed it when I was seriously mentally unwell. Suffered no side effects, hallucinations or suicidal feelings... all of which I endured while adjusting to SSRIs.
Never upped my dose or became addicted, and tapered off successfully with no withdrawals whatsoever.
Used properly, is really is a miracle drug. I would take it again in a heartbeat.

@Jumpingthruhoops I agree it isn’t very addictive. At least, that has been completely exaggerated.

I do think these meds get a bad rap, which isn't warranted.
Every doctor will immediately say 'they're addictive' and every YouTube vid is of someone who took for a while then stopped suddenly and had 'the WORST withdrawals'.
Taken under proper guidance, it's possible not to experience either eventuality. Glad I got the opportunity to find that out for myself.

Beta blockers and CBT for anxiety can work.

ok, it seems I am wrong, and other people have seen or experienced various treatments work. I just wish I saw more success more often