2020 has been a year like no other for teenagers, with drive by diplomas and virtual proms. For some, that can be hard on mental health. Dr. Sarah Lazarus from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta said they are seeing an increase in depression, especially in teenagers.
Dr. Lazarus says she has seen a rise in intentional ingestion in the the Emergency Room. Parents of teens need to vigilant and watch for any signs of depression.
"I know no one wants to seek medical care right now because they're nervous and they don't want to get sick," said Dr. Lazarus. "But our mental health is really important, too, and it's really important that if you're noticing warning signs that your kids go ahead and seek help."
Check in with your kids regularly and maintain an open dialogue about their feelings and experiences. If you are concerned about your child emotional wellness, ask for help.
"If your child no matter what the age is expressing thoughts about hurting himself, or not wanting to live, or wanting to hurt others that's a really big red flag in our world and there needs to be medical care sought," said Dr. Lazarus.
