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MENTAL HEALTH

Recognizing

Mental Health

in Youth

By Mrudula Rao, MD and Michael Arambula, MD

S well-being of their school friends too. The iron is hot at the moment,
uicide is the second leading cause of death in young people, ages
10-24 in the United States (CDC, 2020). Approximately 19%
of all high school students (grades 9-12) seriously considered suicide and the time to invest a few classroom hours in mental health educa-
tion and awareness in our children’s lives would be a timely, productive
during the past year (YRBS) and 9% actually made a suicide attempt and long-lasting health policy.
during the past year (CDC, 2020). To see a complete mental health resource guide for schools, please
Not far from home, suicide is the second leading cause of death in visit https://www.fitcitysa.com/mental-health-resource-guide-for-
young people, ages 10-24 in Texas (CDC, 2020). In 2020, the total schools/. To see the TMA’s policy on mental health education in
number of suicide deaths in Bexar County youth were 20, compared to schools, visit https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=57369. To
10 total deaths in 2014, 6 in 2012 and 3 in 2010. The data shows that see the AMA’s policy on mental health education in schools, please
suicides in youth have gone up in Bexar County over the past 10 years. visit https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/D-345.
Similarly, 19% of all high school students seriously considered sui- 994%20Increasing%20Detection%20of%20Mental%20Illness%20an
cide during the past year and 10% made a suicide attempt during the d%20Encouraging%20Education?uri=%2FAMADoc%2Fdirectives.x
past year (CDC, 2020). Autopsy studies have further shown that 90% ml-0-1165.xml.
of young people who died by suicide had a mental health condition,
of which most were untreated, under-treated or undiagnosed. More Supporting Organizations:
recently, clinical research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bexar County Psy-
has substantially undermined the emotional well-being of all our citi- chiatric Society, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department, Psy-
zens. The need for mental health and suicide awareness is now more chiatrists, Pediatricians, Parents, City of San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness
important than ever. Council Executive Committee, NAMI, PBS/KLRN, Humana, Texas
The onset of more serious and chronic mental illnesses typically occurs Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance,
during childhood and adolescence, during a time when students spend Bexar County Medical Society, Texas Schools Teachers/Superinten-
most of their lives in the classroom. Our students learn about science, dents and various other medical entities.
mathematics, history, language and art to better prepare them for life as
a young adult, whether it be at work or in college (or both), and starting Mrudula Rao, MD is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the
a family. The time our students spend in the classroom is also a fertile Division of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Sci-
opportunity for physical and mental health education as well. ence Center San Antonio. Dr. Rao is in private practice, spe-
In the recent 87th Texas Legislative Session, the Texas Medical As- cializing in the treatment of adult, adolescent and child psychiatric
sociation urged state legislators to make mental health education and disorders. She is the past President of the Bexar County Psychiatric Soci-
awareness part of mandated school curriculum in Texas from elemen- ety and is a member of the Bexar County Medical Society.
tary through high school. However, the legislators only “encourage”
and “recommend” actions be done. Michael Arambula, MD is the current President of the
Adolescents who receive physical and mental health education will Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians and the immediate
better understand what their minds and bodies are going through as past President of the Texas Medical Board. Dr. Arambula
they develop; and they are more likely to seek assistance from the peo- practices General and Forensic Psychiatry. He is a member of the Bexar
ple who surround them in their lives (like a friend, teammate, teacher County Medical Society.
or parent). They are more likely to notice a change in the emotional

18 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • October 2021