YouthZone column: Youth substance use, mental health is a community issue

The mental health and well-being of Colorado youth often have a direct bearing on substance use education, accessibility to helpful resources, and the general culture of substance use in our communities. Substance use, such as alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs, can have damaging consequences for young people throughout their lives.

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are closely linked, and continued substance use during adolescence often leads to mental health problems during adulthood.

This ultimately comes at a cost to our society and communities, from jobs and homelessness to economic stability and growth. But, through youth education, community support, and adults who lead by example, we can empower and empower our youth to build a healthier, happier community for generations to come.

It is natural for young people to explore and seek thrills as they learn about life and the world around them through experience. At this stage of their brain development, they are more conditioned to make impulsive or risky decisions that can lead to substance use. In addition, the Roaring Fork Valley is a tourist area, giving our community greater access and acceptance of substance use. One could even say that the culture is informal and accepting. However, this laissez-faire attitude does not support the health and well-being of youth. The risks and consequences of substance use far outweigh perceived momentary happiness and/or cool factor.

As we take a closer look at our Colorado communities, we find startling statistics. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment, through the Kids Colorado Survey, found that the mental health of middle and high school students in Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Pitkin, and Summit counties had an overall increase in self-harm, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts and/or attempts from 2019 to 2021. The Roaring Fork Valley has one of the highest numbers of student mental health and substance use problems in all of Colorado.

But this is also a national problem. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in the United States, 18.7% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 (or 4.5 million people) had a mental health problem and/or a substance use disorder in 2019. People with major depressive episodes were much more likely to use illicit drugs, marijuana, opioids, and binge drinking than people without . And the percentage of young adults with any mental illness increased from 18.5% (or 6.1 million people) in 2008 to 29.4% (or 9.9 million people) in 2019. Among teens, drinking binge drinking increased from 2018 to 2019, and 17.2% (or 4.3 million people) used illicit drugs in 2019.

These statistics should raise concern for multiple reasons. One reason is that our youth are the future leaders of our community and need help to heal and become healthy, functioning adults in society. Additionally, youth struggling with depression, harmful behavior, and suicidal thoughts are more likely to have substance use addictions and serious mental and/or physical illnesses as adults. The evidence is clear, youth who use substances are much more likely to have emotional and mental developmental problems than adults, and youth with mental health disorders are much more likely to become substance users at some point in their lives. These mental health and wellness issues negatively affect the livelihoods and harmony of individuals, families, and our communities as a whole.

Together, as a community, we can change the culture around substance use and mental health. Support your local non-profit or community center through volunteering or finances. This support helps these organizations provide needed educational services, teaching youth and families the risks of substance use while providing a safe space for youth to form peer support groups. This is where the generational transformation begins. One’s ability to cope with difficult emotions and traumatic experiences is essential to curbing these statistics and saving the lives of our young people and restoring our communities. When services are accessible to families and youth, we empower youth to make positive, future-focused decisions about themselves, which is the path to adulthood.

We can also make a difference in the lives of others through our daily lives when we live by example. As an adult, fellow youth, family member, guardian, or community member, you can promote a positive and healthy lifestyle that does not praise substance use. Instead, value healthy mental and physical wellness by choosing activities that encourage healthy living and a positive attitude.

It is crucial that we, as a community and society, invest in mental health initiatives, such as the promotion of healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, early intervention for children, youth and families, treatment of depression and anxiety , and K-12 mental health. programs We can help young people today, so they can be healthier tomorrow. Otherwise, future adults in our communities will need much more assistance with mental health and substance use disorders in the future. You can be the lifeline of our community!

YouthZone provides comprehensive assessment and advocacy to inspire healthy relationships among youth, families, and communities from Aspen to Parachute. If you would like more information about YouthZone youth and family services, please call us at 970-945-9300 or visit http://www.zonajuvenil.com.

michelle lopez is YouthZone’s Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Specialist. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Behavior and is currently enrolled in a graduate program in Mental Health and Wellness at Grand Canyon University. Michelle’s background includes working in schools and working with substances in the mental health field.

Carmen Iacino is a consultant working with Michelle Lopez’s program development and clinical supervision as she seeks accreditation. She is a licensed addiction counselor with over 30 years of experience working with all types of addictions, providing effective and healthy coping mechanisms and tools for wholeness. Carmen seeks to help others appropriately express their feelings, identify and remove blocks to wellness, and create a focus on fear of the future verse.