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Welcome to our October newsletter!
In this issue, we’ll share simple ways to support teens and young adults as they learn to manage stress, find balance, and stay connected as fall gets busier with school and activities. Burnout can sneak up on young people, and we’ll offer tips to prevent it, along with resources available in Washington State for youth mental health.
October is both National Bullying Prevention Month and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Month. We’ll discuss the connection between bullying and mental health and the importance of creating safe spaces for young people. For BPD awareness, we’ll highlight ways to better understand this condition and offer resources for those seeking help.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or youth, these tools can help create a caring and supportive environment. Thank you for working together in community to help young people thrive!
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As the autumn season settles in, many teens and young adults face increased pressure from school, extracurricular activities, and social commitments. It's easy for this busy time of year to lead to burnout, affecting both mental and physical health. Burnout can show up as feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unmotivated. It’s important to recognize the signs early and take steps to prevent burnout.
Stress affects everyone differently, and for teens and young adults, schoolwork, social pressures, or family challenges can often trigger feelings of anxiety or burnout. It’s important to recognize these challenges and offer understanding and support. Creating an environment where they feel safe mentally, emotionally, and physically; supported; and connected can make a big difference in managing stress.
Here are some practical tips to help prevent autumn burnout:
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Balance activities: Encourage teens to pace themselves. It's okay to say no to some commitments to avoid overload and showing them by role modeling is a powerful way to support you both!
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Prioritize sleep: A consistent sleep schedule is crucial for mental and physical well-being.
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Practice self-care: Engage in regular exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies that promote relaxation and joy.
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Check-in regularly: Ask how they’re feeling and listen without judgment. Sometimes just having someone listen can make a big difference. If you’re not sure, asking if they want advice or support to solve the problem, or just to talk about it.
Washington State offers several resources to support teens and young adults:
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Teen Link: A confidential helpline and chat service for teens needing support. Call or text 866-833-6546.
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Washington State Youth Helpline: 24/7 support for mental health crises. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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NAMI Washington: Provides mental health resources and youth support groups across the state. Visit namiwa.org for more information.
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School-based mental health services: Many schools in Washington offer counseling and support programs. Reach out to school counselors for more information.
Preventing burnout is about creating a supportive environment where young people can thrive while managing the demands of everyday life.
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As kids and teens head back to school, emotions are high. Some are excited to reconnect with friends, others are anxious about the year ahead, and many struggle with self-esteem and fitting in.
Young people often confide in their friends, but what if they come to you? Would you know how to help them open up and feel understood?
Validation is key to supporting young minds.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or community leader, Mental Health America has the resources you need to make a difference. Download the "Supporting Young Minds" guides today and create an environment where young people feel safe, heard, and empowered to address their mental health.
Check out the Kids Mental Health Foundation blog to find out 3 ways that parents and teachers can create connection at school.
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What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is widely understood to be a mental health disorder, characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in mood, self-image, and interpersonal relationships, as well as marked impulsivity. The concept of BPD emerged over 60 years ago to describe what was thought to be patients “on the border” of neurosis and psychosis who might respond to psychoanalysis as a treatment modality. People with BPD are frequently misunderstood and discriminated against.
Researchers have identified that many individuals who have been diagnosed with BPD also reach the diagnosable threshold for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (C-PTSD).
Some researchers contend that BPD, as such, cannot be considered a proper diagnosis; rather, they argue that the symptoms associated with the condition generate as a trauma response. Other research seems to demonstrate that there may be a complex interplay between inherited genetic vulnerabilities, temperament, and environment that give rise to an individual developing BPD. A significant body of research attests to the disproportionate role that childhood abuse and neglect seem to play in the genesis of BPD.
Addressing stigma and raising awareness
BPD has a long history of stigma, and is often conceptualized as a gender-specific, intractable personality disorder. As Perry Hoffman, founder of the National Educational Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, wrote, BPD is often considered the “leprosy of mental illness,” because so many professionals have been conditioned over decades to assume that individuals diagnosed with BPD are untreatable and destined to a lifetime of turmoil and dysfunction.
New avenues of research, as well as the pioneering work and popularization of DBT, have afforded new perspectives on BPD. Additionally, a more nuanced understanding of manifestations of neurodiversity, especially among women, have provided the basis by which those affected by BPD as well as practitioners can better understand the various factors that affect clinical presentation.
It is important to recognize that having BPD is not a choice. When working together with a trained mental health professional and other forms of support, individuals with BPD can and do recover.
Compassion and valuing the human dignity of each individual is critical to improving outcomes for those affected.
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The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as “repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.” Bullying behaviors can include name calling, hitting, spitting, shoving, stealing or damaging property; other forms involve social/relational targeting or exclusion and cyberbullying. Recent US education data showed that 20.9% of students age 12-18 were bullied, and of those, 22% experienced cyberbullying. Therefore, ongoing prevention and intervention work is necessary to ensure that all youth can live and learn in safe and inclusive environments.
We know that there is a strong link between mental health and bullying: Those who experience bullying are more likely to develop mental health issues and those with mental health issues are more likely to be bullied. We also know that children and youth are not the only targets of bullying behaviors; many adults experience forms of bullying in their workplaces and communities. All of us can play an important role in prevention efforts.
Explore the links below for more information and resources to utilize in your home, school, and community.
Citations
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Stay informed and connected with the latest resources and updates on behavioral health services for prenatal, child, and young adult care. Visit our website at hca.wa.gov for more information on the programs and support available.
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