The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth: Underage Drinking & Mental Health

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.

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

Where are all the Teens?
Louise Stanger Ed.d, LCSW, CDWF, CSAT-1,CIP
2021

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

What have been your
experiences in Covid 19 ?

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

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 ’

Top Concerns Teens
Family Issues

Personal Issues

Discrimination

Violence- Agressiveness

School

Friendship

Cruelty

Alcohol and Other Drugs

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

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

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

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

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.

–Unknown
Our Brains are wired for
connection, Trauma rewires them
for protection

Subjective and Objective

Trauma

The Brain & Memory
Amygdala - Alarm circuit
Prefrontal cortex
(Conscious thinking)
Walking down the Street
and think you see a snake

Benefits of Trauma Focused
Therapy
Reestablish safety

Identify Triggers

Develop Healthy Coping Skills

Decrease in Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Practice Trauma Processing or Integration

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

What is biggest stress for Gen Z

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)

Watch If any thing Happens I love you
Net
fl
ix

Gen Z Influncers
Zendya, 21

Kaia Gerber, 16

Olivia Guinnuli, 17

Amanda Stenberg, 18

James Charles 18

Lewys Ball 18
Billie Elish

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

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

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

Alcohol- Marijuana and Other Drugs

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

Mike
High School Senio
r

Super bright

Psychotic Break

Agressiv
e

Argumentativ
e

51-5
0

3 phones

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Types of Teen Suicide
Firearm
s

Hangin
g

Alcohol or other drug
overdos
e

Drownin
g

Su
ff
ocatio
n

Electric Shock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teen Use Of Social Media
Texting

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

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
/

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

Texting and Driving

Virginia 31% of teens
Distracted Driving costs
$125.00

80% of all accidents

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.

Screen Time and Teens

Kasier, Pew , Berkley Science for the
Greater Good

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

From Screen Time
To Playing Board Games

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

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

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

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 ?

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

“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

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

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

Resources
https://www.keystoneacademic.com/news/
communicating-with-generation-z-everything-you-need-
to-know
Howe, N (2016).Meet Mr. and Mrs Gen X: A New
Parent Generation

https://www.faie.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Next-
Generation-Marketing-to-Gen-Z-and-Their-Parents.pdf

Resources
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/90-of-generation-z-says-
they-re-stressed-out-here-s-why/?
utm_source=Newsletter_AH&utm_medium=Thrive
Hibbs, Janet PHD &Rostain, Anthony MD, Helping Your
Kids Survive Their College Years, ResourcesPress,2019
.

https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/11/28/teens-social-
media-habits-and-experiences/pi_2018-11-28_teens-social-
media_0-01/

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

Resources
https://www.teendriversource.org/teen-crash-risks-prevention/
distracted-driving/cell-phone
s

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/index.html
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/
fi
les/2019-05/
DistractedDrivingLawChart_May19.pdf
https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Texting-behind-the-wheel-64-
percent-of-South-Dakota-teens-admit-to-texting-and-
driving-491758091.html

Resources
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/01/22/
teens-who-spend-less-time-in-front-of-screens-are-happier-up-to-a-
point-new-research-shows/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4c055e12
ff
8a
https://www.verywellfamily.com/strategies-limit-your-teens-screen-
time-2608915https:/
/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/
2733430
https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/virginia/2018/04/06/
kid-suicides-spike-virginia/492566002/

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

To Contact Dr. Stanger
619-507-169
9

DrStanger@allaboutintervetio
ns.com
www.http://
allaboutinterventions.com

The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth: Underage Drinking & Mental Health

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