Objectives
Describe and Discuss major
Gen Z issues :
Isolation Bullying, Cutting,
Vaping, Texting ,Self Harm
Teen Suicide
Alcohol, Marijuana and Other
Drug Use
Tips for Parents and Counselors
The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth: Underage Drinking & Mental Health
1. This event is brought to you by the following area Coalitions:
StoughtonCARES Deerfield Cares
Belleville Area Cares McFarland RADAR
Cottage Grove Cares Monona Cares
Northwest Dane Cares
APRIL 21, 2021
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Speaker:
Dr. Louise Stanger, EdD, LCSW, CDWF, CIP - a clinician, educator,
interventionist. Dr. Stanger is an author as well, her latest book:
Addiction in the family: Helping Families Navigate Challenges,
Emotions and Recovery.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82
757828004?pwd=QS9LQnhk
Ukx3TWcwWlREU3ZKRU1G-
dz09
Meeting ID: 827 5782 8004
Passcode: 729255
Additional information on these events can be found at the following websites:
stoughtoncares.org, radarmc.com, bellevillewicares.org, mononacares.org,
cottagegrovecares.org, deerfieldcares.com, and nwdccwi.net
The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth:
Underage Drinking &
Mental Health
Not recommended for those
under 15 years old.
2.
3.
4.
5. About Dr. Louise
Clinician- LCSW-CSCAT- CDWF-CIP
Author-
Addiction In The Family: Helping Families
Navigate Challenges, Emotions and Recovery
(2020) Rockridge Press, Emeryville, Ca.
The Definitive Guide to Addiction Intervention :A
Collective Strategy (2018)Ruthledge, NY.
Falling Up : A Memoir of Renewal (2016) WZY
Press, Ca
Interventionist- CIP
Adventurer- Swimmer, Traveler
www.allaboutintervention.com
619-507-1699
6. Where are all the Teens?
Louise Stanger Ed.d, LCSW, CDWF, CSAT-1,CIP
2021
7. Objectives
Describe and Discuss major
Gen Z issues
:
Isolation Bullying, Cutting,
Vaping, Texting ,Self Har
m
Teen Suicide
Alcohol, Marijuana and Other
Drug Us
e
O
ff
er Tips to Parents and
Counselors
11. Meet The Parents of
Gen Z
Prize Practicality and Self Relianc
e
Digitally Literat
e
Heightened concern for safety
Concerned with practical bene
fi
ts of
what a higher education can d
o
Demand Professionalism and
Communicatio
n
Skeptical and Price Conscious
They pick and choose when to attack
Stealth Bombers
12.
13.
14. Top Concerns Family
Worry about Futur
e
Worry About Mental Healt
h
Worry about Substance Abus
e
Worry About Screen Tim
e
Worry About Money ’
15. Top Concerns Teens
Family Issues
Personal Issues
Discrimination
Violence- Agressiveness
School
Friendship
Cruelty
Alcohol and Other Drugs
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Assumptions
Yes, we are Living in Trauma Bubble
Yes, The world looks different
Yes, It is possible to deal with Toxic Families
Yes School in Covid 19 Looks Different
Yes, Parenting on a New Meaning In Covid 19
Yes,Teen Issues are Exacerbated in Covid
21. Covid Stressors
Before Covid most were able to mask
feelings by going out, being with others
et
c
Being in Lockdown one rehashes their
ugly dark truths about themselve
s
Fear of a family member getting Covid
and added Financial burdens increases
Stres
s
Social Distancing, Remote Learning,
Sports Canceled et
c
The New
s
Protests, Racism
23. Signs of Mental Distress
Feeling Lo
w
Sleeplessness ‘ Nervousness or
Anxiet
y
Excessive Anger or Depressio
n
Low Self Con
fi
denc
e
Lack of or Low Self Estee
m
Lack of Concentratio
n
Poor performance
25. Trauma
Overwhelming experiencing that
cannot be integrated and elicit
animal defensive mechanisms and
dysregulated arousa
l
“A stress that causes physical or
emotional harm that you cannot
remove yourself
fr
om
”
Larke Huang , Director of Health
Care Equity at SAMSHA
26. Types of Trauma
Acute Trauma - Results from a single incident
Chronic Trauma is repeated such as verbal, domestic
violence or abuse
Complex Trauma is exposed to varied mlltiple events,
often invasive interpersonal nature.
29. Types of Trauma
Acute Trauma - Results from a single incident
Chronic Trauma is repeated such as verbal, domestic
violence or abuse
Complex Trauma is exposed to varied mlltiple events,
often invasive interpersonal nature.
36. Benefits of Trauma Focused
Therapy
Reestablish safety
Identify Triggers
Develop Healthy Coping Skills
Decrease in Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Practice Trauma Processing or Integration
37.
38. CDC Facts
Alcohol, other drug use has increased
in Covid 19 with rates 3-4 times higher
then previous years
Mental Health issues have increased
-Depression, Anxiety . PTSD
10.7% of respondents considered
suicide within the last 30 days
Severe interpersonal loss associated
with Covid-19 along with social
disruption easily overwhelms ways
families cope with bereavement
40. The World Is Dangerous-
I am Not Safe
Born at the time of the Columbine
Massacr
e
Witnesses World Towers fall in
slow motio
n
Experienced Economic Recession
of 200
8
Intergenerational stress-Parents try
to Control Children Mor
e
There has been about one school
shooting a month or other type
since Columbine (288)
43. Gen Z Influncers
Zendya, 21
Kaia Gerber, 16
Olivia Guinnuli, 17
Amanda Stenberg, 18
James Charles 18
Lewys Ball 18
Billie Elish
44. Gen Z
High Levels of Lonelines
s
Substitution of social media
for true friendship networ
k
Constant bombardment of
negative self-comparison
s
A narrowing de
fi
nition of life
success leading to destructive
perfectionism all or nothing
thinking
45. Loneliness
Teens and Gen Z are at high risk
for PTS
D
Along with that there is an
increase in SU
D
Loneliness in high school years
increases the risk of depression 9
years late
r
Remote School is not engaging
Teens
Loneliness can lead to heart
disease, obesity or premature death
47. Tackling Loneliness
Validate The experiences that
have been taken away
Try not to Shame and Blame
Teens for using devices and
distraction as coping mechanics
49. GEN Z-Marijuana, Alcohol
Etc
40 yo study says Gen Z avoids sex, alcohol and driving at
record rates -slow life strategy- Tweng
e
Suicide rate has passed that of millennials
Daily marijuana use surpassed that of alcohol industry
Politically Millennials and Gen Z favor legalization of
marijuan
a
Gen Z follow millennials in usage-spend $62.35 as compared to
millennials spent $72.94per month and baby boomers $89.24
58. Meet Clark
Adopted FAS- Learning Disabilitie
s
Loved Sports but shor
t
Bullie
d
Parents Marital Discor
d
Sells & Abuses Drugs
Graduating Senio
r
Feisty-Argumentative
Depression
59. Meet Milly
14 yo Fraternal Twi
n
Mother Actively Abusing
Substances-Parents Divorcin
g
Stops playing tennis, isolate
s
Gains 45 pounds in 3 months
weigh
t
Starts Cutting
Has to go to a New school
60.
61. Clark and Milly are Not
Alone
Over 3 million teenagers experienced a major depressive
disorder in the past yea
r
20% of all American teenagers struggle with depressio
n
6.3 million teenagers have been diagnosed with an anxiety
disorder
2013 Ottawa public Health- Teens who use social media
sites for more then 2 hours a day are more likely to
experience anxiety and depression
62. Best Approaches to Buffer
Stress/Anxiety/ Depression
Teach better coping skills through mindfulness, breathing,
meditation, yoga, self acceptanc
e
Develop and cultivate close friendships in “real’ time and spac
e
Engage in meaningful actions to address societal sources of
stres
s
Family communication helps. When Parents Listen Children
will tal
k
Listen to ask for help. You are Not alone
63. Tips To Sideway
Depression
Disrupt and Rethink Negative Self Tal
k
Develop a crisis planhttps://
mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/
crisis-plan/
Employ Coping skills, Breathing, walking
et
c
Grounding activitie
s
Schedule Worry (Time Box
)
Find Meaning in a Mes
s
Its not your fault-
Be Open to Seeking and Getting Help
65. Vaping
A new epidemic-3.6 million
teens -1 in 5 high school student
s
Vaping is leading teens to try e-
cigarettes- increase in nicotine
addictio
n
Vaping marijuana according to
Stanford psychologist Bonnie-
Halpern Fisher “damage brain
function
’
Gateway Drug or Just Drug
ttps://www.the-scientist.com/features/how-social-isolation-affects-the-brain-67701. Retrieved 7/27/2020.
67. Tips for Parents
Be calm, listen , avoid criticis
m
Ask questions, with interes
t
Set Tobacco free example
s
Choose what you will and will not pay fo
r
Develop parental alliances in the
community
Set healthy boundarie
s
Remember you are the Parent and you do
not have to pay for bad habit
s
Keep the dialogue open
69. Statistics
Suicide rates increased 33% between 1999
and 201
4
Males are more then 4 times more likely to
complete
Suicide rates for females doubled from
20017-2017 )ages 10-14) compared with other
age groups (hanging and su
ff
ocation
)
There are 25 attempts to 1 completed suicide
Females have higher rates of suicide ideation
and are more likely to attemp
t
Firearms are used in over hal
f
2016 Virginia Stats showed increase
70. Warning Signs
Sense of hopelessnes
s
Social Withdrawal and Isolatio
n
Helplessnes
s
Feelings of Failur
e
Being a Burden to Other
s
Preoccupation with Death and Dyin
g
Lack of Future Goal
s
Drop in School Grade
s
Giving Away Prized Possessions
71. Signi
fi
cant Life Events
Loss of a love objec
t
History of suicide in famil
y
Recent suicide of a frien
d
Negative parental attitude
toward tee
n
Disharmony in family
72. Other Causes
Poor Academic Performanc
e
Alcohol or Other Drug Abus
e
Unhealthy relationships, physical, sexual abus
e
Feelings of Guilt and Shame-targets of Bullyin
g
Feelings of Ange
r
Physical or Mental Health issue
s
Sibling Rivalry
73. Types of Teen Suicide
Firearm
s
Hangin
g
Alcohol or other drug
overdos
e
Drownin
g
Su
ff
ocatio
n
Electric Shock
74. Talking with Teens
The suicidal teen may not talk
directly about suicidal plans or
wishe
s
It is OK to ask : “Are you
thinking about ki
ll
ing
yourself ?”
It is a myth that talking about
suicide to a distressed
individual can lead to suicide
75. Suicidal Teens are Often in
a Confused State
Talking helps clarify internal
state
s
Teen may express verbally , by
gesture or expressio
n
You have to try and
understand Implied feelings
and restate and re
fl
ect back
76. Dos and Don’ts of
Suicide Prevention
Do Assess for Risk. If risk appears grave then the teen
needs to be taken to hospita
l
5150 hold for 72 hour
s
Do Inform parents or guardians of teen suicidal crisi
s
Do Ensure Follow up by appropriate person
77. DON’TS
Do not put on your super woman or man cape and think
you alone can sav
e
Do not sound shock or say suicide would be an
embarrassmen
t
Do not engage in philosophical debate . You may not
only lose the debate but the suicidal teenager
78. Crisis Interview Model
Present as concerned, e
ff
ective
helpe
r
Focus on teens emotion and
encourage expressio
n
Empathize with teens expressed
a
ff
ec
t
Identify problems with teen
s
Review mutually determined
strategy with teen and seek
agreement
79. Confront them in calm , warm manner, “when someone is
feeling extremely upset, they may have thoughts of
suicide. Is this something you have been thinking about
?
Always ask are you thinking about killing yourselves? the
answer will tell you if teen has a plan etc
.
If teen has a plan use SAL
How Speci
fi
c is the pla
n
Is there a method Available to carry out the threa
t
How Lethal is the proposed method
84. Cutting
20-25% of adolescent girls and
10-14% of adolescent boys
report self injur
y
Bully and sexual trauma are
seen as drivers for self injur
y
LGBTQ+ teens are twice as
likely to self injure
85. Self Injury
Is a way in which teens struggling with their own emotions can
fi
nd relief in su
ff
ering and emotional pai
n
Soothes emotions that often originate from feeling poorly
understood in family, friendships, relationships, interpersonal strif
e
Have the capacity to become habitua
l
Can increase in severity or frequency when self injury susessfully
helps to manage su
ff
erin
g
Often a behavior that accompanies psychological diagnosis
Jim Holsomback M.A., McLean Hospital
86. Self -Injury in General is
not
A Direct Path to Suicide
Successfully Treated by Medicine ( therapy and support more successful in treatin
g
A cry for help-often initial incidents of self injury are done without others knowin
g
A painful way to punish or engage other
s
KNOWTHAT
If a child had a better way to self regulate they woul
d
Don’t let shame prevent anyone from getting treatment
Parents bene
fi
t from support groups as well
87. Parent Talk:
How to Respond
BE CALM- Easier said then
done - Your teen is
communicating which is great-
Do Not Overreac
t
Shut UP and LISTEN
!
FOCUS ON GOALS - provide
professional hel
p
PUNISHMENT IS A POOR
AGENT OF CHANGE
88. Bullying
Direct - bullying that occurs in the
presence of another yout
h
Indirect-spreading rumors etc
Four types- physical, verbal, relational
(hurting reputations) and damage to
property
Cyberbullying - 9% of students grades
61-1
2
15% of HS students say they have been
electronically cyperbullie
d
55.2% of LGBTQ report cyberbullying
89. What we know
Between 1-4 US students say they have been bullie
d
28% if US students grade 6-1
2
20% of US students 9-12
70.6% of young people report they have sen bullying in school
s
70.4 % of sta
ff
, 62% witnessed bullying 2 or more time
s
When bystanders intervene , bullying stops within 10 sec 57% of the time
Most bullying happens in middle schoo
l
Children who are perceived as di
ff
erent are more likely to be bullie
d
Bullies - children who are aggressive easily frustrated. have less parental involvement, think badly of
others, have di
ffi
culty following rules, view violence in a positive way, have friends who bully others
90. The More We Know
There is not a single pro
fi
le of a young person involved
in bullyin
g
Disconnect between adults and youth-Adults don’t know
exactly what to do about bullyin
g
Most bullying takes place in schools or online and cell
phones
91. Respond to Bullying
Do Intervene-Its ok to ask an adult for hel
p
Separate kids involve
d
Make sure all are sak
e
Tend to any immediate medical mental health need
s
Stay Cal
m
92. Bullying and Suicide
The relationship between bullying and suicide is comple
x
It is not accurate and potentially dangerous to present bullying as cause
or reason for suicid
e
Media should NOT use word “BULLYCIDE
”
Persistent bullying can lead to isolation, rejection, exclusion and despai
r
Vast majority of teens who are bullied do not become suicida
l
Most young people who die by suicide have multiple risk factors
-
Some youth (LGBTQ) are at increased risk for suicide without bullying
93. Avoid These Common
Mistakes
Do not ignore-thinking kids can work out on their ow
n
Don’t immediately try to sort out the fact
s
Don’t force kids to say publicly what they sa
w
Don’t question kids in front of other kid
s
Don’t talk to kids involved together, talk separatel
y
Don’t make kids involved or patch up relationships on the spot
.
If a weapon is involved, threats of physical harm, serious bodily harm, sexual
abuse, anyone accused of an illegal act such as robbery or extortion using force
to get money, property or services immediately get medical and police help
94. Prevention
Help kids Understand Bullyin
g
Keep communication Open-
speak to a trusted adul
t
Encourage Kids to Do what
they Lov
e
Model How to Treat Other
s
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
prevention/index.html
97. Common Texts
LOL-Laugh out lou
d
GR8=Grea
t
IRL=In real Lif
e
TYVM=Thank you very muc
h
J/K=Just Kiddin
g
L8R=Late
r
NP= No Proble
m
WYD=what’s you doing
98. TEXTS
53x= Sneaky way to type se
x
KMS= Kill myself
LH6=Lets have se
x
KYS=Kill Yoursel
f
MOS=Moms Over the shoulde
r
POS=Parents over the shoulde
r
CD9=Parents Around GNOC=Get Naked on Camer
a
99=Parents are gon
e
IWSN-I want to have sex no
w
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2017/05/21/sneaky-teen-texting-codes-what-they-mean-
when-worry/101844248
/
99. Texting and Driving
South Dakota ranks #2 for Distracted
Driving
Hand held Ban-N
o
All Cell Phone Ban-N
o
Novice drivers-Drivers with learner or
intermediate license. Secondary La
w
Text Messing Ban-Secondary Ba
n
https://www.ghsa.org/index.php/state-
laws/issues/distracted%20drivin
g
Peer to Peer Guide Governors Tra
ffi
c
Safety https://www.ghsa.org/sites/
default/
fi
les/2019-04/peer-to-
peer-2019.pdf
64% of South Dakota teens admit to texting behind wheel
101. The Oxymoron
89% of all teens have smart
phones (2016, Pew Report
)
Jean Twenge reports the
relationships diminish based
on increase of screen
time.Computers etc are used
in school, for homework etc.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106. Screen Time and Teens
Kasier, Pew , Berkley Science for the
Greater Good
107. Screen Time Can Effect
Sleep Pattern
s
Eating Patterns- Obesit
y
Loneliness-Interferes with social
Activitie
s
School-Educational-Children
with TV’s in Bedroom do worse
academicall
y
Anxiety-Depressio
n
Marijuana Use
110. Strategies to Limit Teens
Screen Time
Make Screen Time A Privilege
Role Model Healthy Habits-Limit Your own Screen Tim
e
Discourage Multi-taskin
g
Establish Clear Rules About Electronic
s
Encourage Physical Activit
y
No Screen Time in Car
111. Strategies
No digital devices during
family meal
s
No Screen Time in Ca
r
No Screens on Bedroom
s
Develop Alliances with other
Parents, Schools and
Community Groups
112. Strategies
Educate About Media- Discuss
Advertisements and what they do,
Discuss the dangers of too much
exposure to violence in the news and in
game
s
Don’t allow Electronics During
Mealtime
s
Create Screen Free Day
s
Schedule Family Activities that Do Not
involve Electronic
s
Hold Family Meetings to Discuss
Screen time
113.
114. Invitations
Can you be Aware of your
Behavior
s
Can you be Aware of your
thoughts, emotions and
sensations
?
Can you bring an attitude of
Curiosity to those ?
115. What the Data Says
Instead of prejudging what is
happening , like saying this is
good or ba
d
Simply Be Curious and
Observe what is happenin
g
When you pay attention to
Negative Behaviors , you tend
to change the behavior
The practice of mindfulness
has proven to be very e
ff
ective
116. “Bringing mindfulness -awareness and curiosity to an action
is potentially as good or better then medication. Instead of
temporarily Curbing symptoms you get to the root
Brewer , 2021 Brain Hacking
121. Resources
Stanger L.& Weber, L (Ed). (2018) The De
fi
nitive Guide To Addiction
Intervention-A Collective Strategy. New York, Ruthledg
e
Stanger, L.& Porter, R (ed)(2016) Meet the Parents -Helicopters,
Submarines and You. A Sober World
.
Block, S. Why Young Americans Are Lonely. Scienti
fi
c America , July 202
0
122. Resources
Stanger, L.& Porter, R. The Latest Trend in Gen Z-Anxiety and
Depression. 2019 The Sober World
.
Stanger, L.(2019) 6 Fears That Drive Snow Plow Parents. Thrive Globa
l
Stanger, L. (2018) Hopping on the Vape Train-What are Teens and
Parents to do .Thrive Globa
l
Stanger, L. Teen Vaping. From Flavored to Marijuana , An Alarming
Epidemic Grows (Feb. 2019) Thrive Globa
l
.http://thatsoberguy.libsyn.com/tsg-ep259-managing-your-kids-screen-
time-teen-vaping-marijuana-parenting-with-dr-louise-stanger april 2019
125. Resources
Most Us Teens See Anxiety & Depression as a Major
Problem Among Their Peers-Pew Research 201
9
https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-you-can-do/teens/
index.html
https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-you-can-do/teens/
index.html
https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html
128. Resources
GenZ is too Busy to Drink or Do Drugs. Vice U
K
https://www.businessinsider.com/generation-z-sex-alcohol-driving-study-2017-9. Business
Inside
r
https://www.insidesources.com/more-sober-than-millennials-generation-z-could-
dramatically-a
ff
ect-alcohol-market/
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/millennials-generation-x-and-gen-z-are-all-
unanimous-in-their-position-to-legalize-marijuana-2019-03-12
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/us/california-today-marijuana-consumers-by-the-
numbers.html
https://www.suzannegazdamd.com/blog/our-brain-in-isolation-what-to-know-what-we-
can-do
129. To Contact Dr. Stanger
619-507-169
9
DrStanger@allaboutintervetio
ns.com
www.http://
allaboutinterventions.com