VICENZA -- While summer break brings opportunities for relaxation, travel, and more time spent as a family, it can also be a vulnerable time for many of our youth. We may assume everyone loves a break from school, but what we often overlook is the accompanying break from resources or support persons available to the children during the school year.
Our youth may miss the daily support from friends, teachers, or counselors and they may also be missing out on clubs, sports, or other activities that offered emotional, physical and mental stability in their lives. Additionally, summer often brings PCS moves and the resulting loss of friends or relationships as well as loss of familiarity, home, or belongings. All of these changes can have a significant impact on the emotional and mental wellbeing of children.
Knowing that summer can be a difficult time for our youth, here are a few signs that suggest a child or teen may need additional support, and what actions parents and caregivers can take to support them throughout the summer break and all year round.
Common indicators of emotional distress:
Statements about feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless ("I can't do anything right," "No one cares")
Feeling especially sad, worried, or irritable
Increase in illness or feeling sick
Trouble sleeping or frequent bad dreams
Changes in behavior (not joking around or smiling, not wanting to go out or do activities) or behavior that is out of character
Loss of interest in hobbies or withdrawal from relationships
Taking unnecessary risks, impulsive, or self-destructive behavior
Aggressive behavior or fighting
Substance use (drinking, smoking, using drugs, large amounts of caffeine such as energy drinks)
Talking about death, suicide, violence, or self-harm
Responses and actions to take:
Remain calm and supportive
Engage the child, express concern for them as a person and their well-being.
Ask open ended questions and encourage them to share their experiences.
Listen without judging. Validate their emotions ("that sounds tough" "It looks like you're feeling sad today" "I'd like to listen to you and see if we can come up with some ways to support you").
Do not be afraid to ask the direct question of "are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself" -- asking about suicide will not make a person more likely to attempt suicide
Escort the child to the Behavioral Health clinic (2nd floor of the health clinic on Ederle). We always see individuals the same day when there is a safety or emergency concern!
If it's after hours, and you are concerned about the child's safety, take him/her to San Bortolo Emergency Room. They have a full psychiatric team, including Child Psychologists and the Patient Liaisons are there to help 24/7. To reach the Patient Liaisons dial 0444-75-3300.
If you need immediate assistance, call 118 for an ambulance, or 114 for the Military Police (or 0444-71-7626.
The Behavioral Health Clinic on Caserma Ederle continues to offer a variety of services including individual, family, and marital therapy and medication management. We work closely with other agencies and organizations on post to help our patients and families get the help and support needed. We have a team of Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Clinical Social Workers, Technicians, and a Nurse Case Manager. We are open Monday-Friday from 0730-1630, excluding federal holidays. Please reach out to our clinic at 0444-61-9140 for more information, or with any questions or concerns.
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