1. What are some common mental health challenges that adolescents face, and what are some of their signs and risk factors?

Adolescents commonly experience anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders:

✅ Anxiety – Excessive worry, avoidance, restlessness, and physical complaints. Often triggered by academic pressure, social situations, or fear of failure.
✅ Depression – Persistent sadness, irritability, withdrawal, decreased energy, and changes in sleep or appetite. Risk factors include family history, trauma, and life changes.
✅ Eating disorders – Includes anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, with an obsession over body weight or food, distorted body image, and significant weight changes. Risk factors: social media influence, perfectionism, and family pressures.
✅ Substance use disorders – Marked by declining school performance, erratic behavior, and withdrawal from family. Often triggered by peer pressure and substance availability, and commonly co-occurs with other mental health issues.
✅ Self-harm & Suicide – Self-harm (cutting, burning) is often a way to manage distress. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents. Risk factors include mental illness, family conflict, bullying, and lack of support, with warning signs like hopelessness and isolation.

2. How can the metaphor of a "black dog" help explain depression?

The metaphor of a “black dog”, as illustrated in the WHO video "I had a black dog, his name was depression," describes depression as a burdensome, persistent companion that:

🐶 Follows unpredictably – making life feel slower and more exhausting.
🐶 Steals joy – affecting appetite, memory, and concentration.
🐶 Creates social anxiety – leading to self-doubt and isolation.
🐶 Grows larger over time – without proper coping mechanisms, it can lead to self-medication and worsened mental health.

However, managing the black dog is possible through therapy, support, and self-care strategies.

3. What is the importance of brain scans in understanding and treating mental health disorders?

🧠 Brain scans (such as SPECT imaging) provide a visual of brain activity, helping diagnose mental health conditions more accurately. As Dr. Daniel Amen explains:

🔬 Mental health disorders are not "one-size-fits-all." Scans show that ADHD, anxiety, depression, and addiction have different subtypes requiring different treatments.
🔬 Scans detect physical contributors to symptoms, such as strokes, brain injuries, or cysts.
🔬 Personalized treatment – Rather than relying only on symptom-based diagnosis, brain scans allow for targeted interventions and better treatment outcomes.

4. What is the biopsychosocial model and how does it apply to understanding adolescent mental health?

The biopsychosocial model explains adolescent mental health through the interaction of:

🧬 Biological factors – Sleep disruption, stress responses, and brain chemistry.
🧠 Psychological factors – Identity struggles, academic pressures, self-esteem, and social media impact.
👥 Social factors – Family dynamics, peer relationships, and cultural expectations.

📌 Example: Maya Chen – An adolescent struggling with sleep issues (biological), cultural identity (psychological), and social media pressures (social). The biopsychosocial approach helps provide a holistic understanding of her challenges.

5. What are some evidence-based intervention strategies for adolescent mental health?

🔹 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps reframe negative thoughts and reduce avoidance in anxiety disorders.
🔹 Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – Addresses relationship conflicts and social withdrawal in depression.
🔹 Family-Based Treatment (FBT) – Effective for eating disorders, involving family in the recovery process.
🔹 Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Helps substance users increase motivation for change.
🔹 Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques – Aid in anxiety management and emotion regulation.
🔹 Medication – In some cases, medications may be necessary, but they must be monitored by professionals.

Tailoring treatments to the individual's needs is key to successful intervention.

6. What steps should be taken during a crisis intervention for an adolescent at risk of self-harm or suicide?

🚨 Immediate crisis steps include:

1️⃣ Assess risk – Use tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to gauge severity.
2️⃣ Ensure safety – Remove access to lethal means (weapons, medications, etc.).
3️⃣ Supervise and support – Continuous supervision for immediate-risk individuals.
4️⃣ Contact crisis services – Engage suicide hotlines, crisis teams, or emergency services.
5️⃣ Create a safety plan – Include coping strategies, emergency contacts, and action steps for distressing situations.
6️⃣ Encourage open dialogue – Normalize discussing mental health without stigma.

🚑 Crisis Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

7. What are some common warning signs that an adolescent may be considering suicide, and what can be said to a teen who may be at risk?

⚠️ Warning signs of suicide include:

🔹 Verbal cues – Saying things like “I can’t do this anymore” or “Everyone would be better off without me.”
🔹 Behavior changes – Isolation, giving away belongings, or sudden calmness after distress.
🔹 Physical signs – Self-inflicted injuries, wearing long sleeves in warm weather.

💬 What to say to a struggling teen:

❌ Avoid dismissive comments like “You’re being dramatic” or “You have nothing to be sad about.”
✅ Instead, say:
🗣️ “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. I’m here for you.”
🗣️ “How can I help?”
🗣️ “Let’s get through this together. You are not alone.”

Encouraging professional help and connecting them with support resources is critical.

8. How can technology and social media impact adolescent mental health, both positively and negatively?

📲 Negative Effects:

⚡ Comparison culture – Pressure to maintain a “perfect” online image.
⚡ Social anxiety & isolation – Reduced face-to-face interaction weakens social skills.
⚡ Sleep disruption – Excessive screen time impacts sleep and emotional health.

💡 Positive Effects:

✔️ Online communities – Support for marginalized groups and mental health struggles.
✔️ Access to resources – Mental health awareness, therapy apps, and crisis helplines.
✔️ Creative expression – Platforms for art, writing, and personal growth.

📌 Key Takeaway: Moderation and awareness are essential to using technology in a healthy way.