The adolescent years are a time of significant physical, emotional, and behavioral development for young people, making them especially vulnerable to the detrimental effects of untreated mental health and substance use disorders. Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (also known as dual diagnosis) are becoming an increasingly prevalent issue among adolescents and leave families struggling to navigate the complex healthcare system, leading to delays in seeking help or finding appropriate treatment.
Substance use often starts in adolescence, when the brain is still developing, particularly the regions responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. The use of substances like alcohol and drugs during this critical period of brain development can have lasting effects, particularly when underlying mental health conditions are not addressed.
A Growing Problem
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.2 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 drank alcohol in the past month, and 13.8 percent of adolescents in the same age group used illicit drugs in the past year.1 The National Institutes of Health reports that up to 75 percent of adolescents with substance use disorders also suffer from co-occurring psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).2
Without early and appropriate intervention, the consequences for untreated co-occurring disorders can be devastating, including chronic health problems, difficulties in building life skills, and long-term struggles with relationships and employment.
Importance of Early Intervention and Care Coordination
Mental health professionals are growing more aware of the urgency for early intervention for co-occurring disorders, as the consequences of untreated conditions can be severe. Therefore, there is a critical need for expanded education and targeted intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of these adolescents.
At ForHealth Consulting® at UMass Chan Medical School, we recognize that treatment must be comprehensive and integrated, addressing both the mental health and substance use aspects simultaneously and tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents.
But to ensure effective treatment, behavioral health clinicians need the proper training— keeping abreast of the latest knowledge, trends, and statistics. To meet that need, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and ForHealth Consulting created the Behavioral Health Workforce Training Clearinghouse (BH Clearinghouse).
As a key component to Massachusetts Medicaid’s Behavioral Health: Roadmap for Reform initiative, the BH Clearinghouse supports the training of Massachusetts behavioral health clinicians by providing voluntary access to training and technical assistance critical to behavioral health workforce development.
To address the issues of increasing prevalence of co-occurring disorders among adolescent populations, the BH Clearinghouse developed and offers the following courses to support clinicians and staff:
- Child-Development and the Adolescent Brain
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology
- Common Medical Comorbidities in Youth
- Mobile Crisis Intervention Working with Youth: Behavioral Health Fundamentals
- Approaches to Mental Health Care for Forcibly Displaced Youth and Families
To further meet the need of this population, upcoming courses include “ADHD and Substance Use Disorders in Youth,” “Engaging and Treating Youth with Opioid Use Disorder,” “Using Motivational Interviewing with Teens,” “Youth Vaping and Tobacco Use,” “ASAM Criteria and Youth,” “Trauma and Its Impact on Development,” and “Effects of Substance Use Disorder on the Family System.”
These courses go in-depth on topics like common behavioral health concerns experienced by youth in crisis, including anxiety, mood disorders, emerging psychosis, autism spectrum disorder, and substance use, and explain signs and symptoms, screening tools, strategies, and key considerations specific to race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Courses also delve into childhood brain development, guidelines for psychotropic drugs in adolescents, and key medical conditions and complications of youth to ensure the appropriate medical and psychiatric care.
ForHealth Consulting is proud to deliver critical education and training through the BH Clearinghouse, which supports professional development and ongoing clinical competency, ultimately improving clinical care. Numerous studies have found that quality and effective training helps to improve the delivery of mental health behavior interventions and patient outcomes.3, 4
At present, the BH Clearinghouse has trained more than 3,400 Community Behavioral Health Center professionals in Massachusetts and has recently expanded the learning portal trainings to Massachusetts Mental Health Center professionals and Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative providers.
Addressing co-occurring disorders early can significantly improve outcomes for adolescents, helping them navigate the challenges of this critical developmental period with greater resilience and success.
Visit https://bhclearinghouse.org/ to see the additional on-demand courses offered and email BHClearinghouse@umassmed.edu to learn how to gain access.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, when we address the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Visit https://www.nami.org/ for mental health resources.
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