'If you live in 2021, you have some trauma': Signs of mental health issues in kids, adults

The COVID-19 pandemic — sickness, isolation, disruption of routines and traditions — has affected everyone in different ways. Mental health issues manifests differently in each person, even more so when it comes to kids.

Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, hosted a panel on Sept. 21 about mental health issues for constituents to learn about resources available and what could be telling signs that someone — including children - is not OK.

He was joined by Kim Warmsley, District 6 Stockton City Council member and licensed clinical social worker, and Gigi Crowder, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Contra Costa.

So, how to check on children's mental wellbeing? What resources are available for people in San Joaquin County? How can one seek help for oneself or a loved one? Here's what the panelists had to say:

"If you live in 2021, you have some trauma," Warmsley said. From NAMI's data before the pandemic:

During the pandemic:

"These numbers are nearly double the rates we would have expected before the pandemic," Crowder's data presentation slide read.

"We are now seeing the increase of mental health (issues) two-fold," Warmsley said.

"There is no one who has struggled the most than our kids, because they've had those 18 months of no closure from teachers, losing proms and losing friends," Warmsley said.

"We thrive on rites of passage," such as high school graduations and proms, and when all of those events were denied, it should not be a surprise that students face mental health difficulties because of these losses too, Crowder said.

Signs that a person (including kids) is having mental health challenges can include changes in typical behaviors such as if a person is sleeping too much, not eating enough, eating more than usual, children wetting the bed, among others.

"Kids don't say 'I have depression,' but they do say 'I have a stomachache,' and so it is really important for family members to be mindful of the warning signs," Crowder said. "Especially when a young person doesn't want to go to school, grades are slipping, (has) headaches, all of these are signs."

That doesn't mean that every stomachache equates to depression, but children can struggle in expressing deep, heavy-weighing sadness and feelings of uncertainty.

Crowder said "hip hop therapy" — when the person raps out their thoughts or emotions — can be a more comfortable way to check-in with kids compared to a rigid, therapy-type approach.

It doesn't have to be rap necessarily, but journaling, arts, song — some type of creative creation or conversation — can help children express their emotions through a healthy outlet.

Warmsley suggested cooking as a family and movie nights together can help kids "feel comfortable and have some incidental conversations," since sometimes a procedural conversation makes kids struggle or be non-cooperative.

Crowder said one should seek help "as soon as you start feeling it," as soon as you start feeling you are not OK.

"In Congress, we see the need to address this challenge (mental health issues) and included numerous investments in public health and in the American Rescue Plan, which became law in March," McNerney said.

McNerney said the plan includes:

McNerney is co-sponsoring the Mental Health for Students Act, "which will provide $200 million dollars in competitive grants for public schools across the country to partner with local mental health professionals and establish comprehensive mental health services for students."

Programs, courses and support groups

NAMI Contra Costa offers free non-clinical courses and support groups to connect people to other resources and/or those involved in their programs. These were hosted in person pre-pandemic, but are now held online via Zoom and San Joaquin County residents can attend.

NAMI Contra Costa programs are available for/focused on different ages, parents and family members, and some offered in several languages to learn about mental health, services and what can be telling signs that a family member and/or child is experiencing mental health issues.

There are NAMI affiliates across the country. You can find more information on the national site at nami.org/Home and/or about NAMI Contra Costa at namicontracosta.org.

Exercise, meditation, check-ins and counseling

Warmsley strongly encouraged meditation, physical activity, checking in with loved ones and counseling be it through a provider/therapist and/or on online apps.

She said conversations across different social groups and family members are crucial, since the elderly, people with disabilities and children are prone to increased mental health distress during this ongoing pandemic.

That is to say, you should take care of yourself too. "It is OK to not be OK," Warmsley said. "So, taking time for yourself, and starting with yourself is fine."

For all, she recommended:

Your primary care provider is also a initial resource who can help. In San Joaquin County, you can call 211 and "ask for a referral to either a health care provider, a therapist or a counselor or an emergency clinic that can provide a person with mental care," she said.

However, "if someone is having a mental health crisis, go to the nearest emergency health department because they have the clinicians and social workers who are available 24/7 to help," Warmsley said.

For online applications and/or sites, Warmsley mentioned Better Help, Ginger, Verywell Mind for therapy and resources. However, "be mindful of apps, you should not have to pay for apps, for services — and sometimes that happens — and so make sure that it is a credible website," she said.

Record reporter Laura Diaz covers social justice and societal issues. She can be reached at ldiaz@recordnet.com or on Twitter @laurasdiaz_. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

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