The Arizona State House’s Teen Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by State Representative Joanne Osborne (R-Goodyear), met Thursday to approve recommendations and actions that should be taken to address this issue.
“Today’s meeting was the culmination of months of focus and effort by our members and subcommittees to develop recommendations to address gaps in access to care, raise awareness about bullying and the dangers of social media, and to support those with substance use disorders, as well as their family members who are forced to watch their loved ones suffer,” said Osborne.
The Teen Mental Health Cmte adopted new recommendations today. Chair @JoanneOsborne8 called them a "Call to Action to our state, our communities, our schools, & our families" & "must be prioritized & implemented to address teen mental health."
READ MORE➡️https://t.co/u9kDnZCh4u pic.twitter.com/m3XsflFyl3
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) December 8, 2022
The committee was established earlier this year in repones to a rise in teen suicides. The group consisted of three other state representatives and community members and met four times this year to research teenage depression and the effects of bullying, social media, and substance abuse.
The first recommendation from the group is to draft legislation to establish a Teen Health Grant Program (THGP), which would be overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The program would provide funding to schools and nonprofits for training to address mental health aid and substance abuse while also funding rural school districts that may not have ready mental health professionals. Moreover, the committee would also stated that school districts should develop or obtain an app for students to report instances of bullying or seek help for themselves from 27/4 clinical support. The THGP would aid in achieving this app.
The committee said the Legislature could fund the THGP through appropriations, such as the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office’s opioid settlement money. At the same time, it could also use private donations, grants, and federal money.
Furthermore, the group suggested establishing a two-fold, centralized community on mental health. This hub would help teens who may suffer from mental illnesses and provide information to others, especially parents, on the signs of mental health struggles and how they can support those suffering. The ADHS will gather all the necessary resources in collaboration with other Arizona departments and community groups.
At the meeting, Osborne shared the words of one Arizona mother who has experienced the consequences of untreated mental health issues firsthand. Sheila Pelger sent Osborne a letter, sharing that her son, Tyler, died at 17 from suicide. While he appeared cheerful and outgoing on the outside, Pelger said it was not until after his death she realized he was dealing with depression and anxiety. She also stated that Tyler tried to self-medicate through substance abuse like many other adolescents. Pelger said it is essential for parents to be educated and know how to respond to situations like this.
“Substance use is not just the bad kid or kids just experimenting,” according to Pelger’s letter. “I don’t know what the answer is in regards to kids using drugs and alcohol, but if the experts could have more resources to educate parents, kids, and teachers, progress could be made.”
Randy Spencer from Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers also spoke at the committee meeting. He shared that through years of working with troubled teenagers, he learned that the most crucial thing for struggling teens is to find community. When a teenager feels isolated, possibly through bullying or rocky home life, the best way to recenter their life on a better path is through meaningful connections and meeting them on their level.
Any teens who struggle with mental health or know someone who does can get help here.
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Joanne Osborne” by Representative Joanne Osborne. Background Photo “Teen Visiting a Psychologist” by cottonbro studio.
