Mental Illness | Coach Brock Bourgase

Mental Health and Teenagers

Four out of the ten leading causes of disability in developed countries are mental illnesses.
Common mental health problems among children and adolescents include depression, anxiety, disruptive behaviour disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.), eating disorders, and developmental disorders.
15 to 20% of youth suffer some mental health issue; five percent suffer extreme impairment. Mental health issues are one of the most common reasons that children visit a family doctor.
Mental health is a community responsibility. Coaches are members of the community who can address this issue directly.

Those who suffer from mental illness are twice as likely to have food security issues as healthy peers.
Food selection can influence physical and mental health. Healthy choices should be emphasized in high school and athletics.

Mental illness and treatment can lead to a depressed appetite, which leads to a slower rate of weight gain and growth.
Nutritional interventions can prevent or decrease the severity of adverse effects of medications

Signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers are often misunderstood as “mood swings” and not addressed. Symptoms that persist for more than two weeks should be treated as depression.
8.3% of adolescents suffer from depression.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, and magnesium deficiencies.

Teenager anxiety may increase as a result of competitive anxiety.
Children and youth may lack the coping skills to handle stressful situations.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: Caffeine consumption can precipitate or exaggerate the symptoms of anxiety attacks

Those who suffer from A.D.H.D., including adolescents, may suffer from a deficiency of dopamine (a neurotransmitter in the brain which controls pleasure).
This may lead individuals to indulge in destructive addictive behaviour.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: vitamins A, B-1, B-3, folate, C, and D, and K and zinc, magnesium and iron.

SUPECTED CASES OF SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO A DOCTOR.

Dieticians of Canada (2009). The Role of Dietitians in Collaborative Primary Healthcare Mental Health Programs. Retrieved 10 February 2010 from http://www.ccmhi.ca/en/products/documents/ENDietitiansToolkit.pdf.