Generation Y: Mental Health.

[Guest guest]

Generation Y: Mental Health By Sarah O'Brien13 Newshttp://www.wrex.com/News/index.php?ID=17754About 20 percent of kids under the age of 18 across the country have symptoms of a mental illness. In our ongoing series about Generation Y we take you inside area schools to see how they're dealing with the growing number of kids being diagnosed.Brian Klaung with Counseling Associates says, "The problem in terms of schools would be early identification. So the earlier you identify it diagnose and treat, the lower the risk to develop other kinds of problems." Klaung says kids can have symptoms of a mental illness like depression, anxiety and attention deficit

disorder as early as 3 years old. "At that time is when educators and parents need to begin to look towards an evaluation and treatment because we know the earlier you evaluate and treat, the better the outcome."He says the number of kids and adolescents with mental disorders is going up. One reason is because symptoms are being detected earlier, but he also attributes it to genetic and environmental influences.One out of 10 school age children are diagnosed with a mental illness and experts predict that number will double by the year 2020. Some wonder if schools are prepared to handle the increase. Matt Zickert, principal of Winnebago High School, says, "I don't think we go looking for increases in those particular areas, but I think we try and address every kids needs the best we can and if we see problems arise we try to assist the students in adjusting or solving their problems."Several schools in the Rockford area have programs to train

teachers to look for warning signs. Klaung says, "If you see a child that is irritated and agitated with difficulty soothing themselves has temperamental problems has low frustration tolerance."At Winnebago High School, if teachers see one of these behaviors, they're told to notify the schools 2 counselors to see if further action needs to be taken. Klaung says when kids with disorders don't get treated, they can cause problems in the classroom. That's something school administrators want to avoid. Zickert says, "Especially after Virginia Tech everyone worries about that and it becomes a growing concern in the spotlight, but I think with adolescents you have to be aware all the time." Klaung says a lot of times, funding is not available for special education programs. So the requirements to qualify for those classes become more strict. "Lots of these kids do not qualify for learning disability because their grades aren't bad enough, they have above average

I.Q. However their behavior, whether it's disruptive behavior or inattention interferes with their academic achievement and so they need some type of intervention."Klaung advises parents to get professional help if they see any sudden change in their child's moods or behaviors and get a second opinion before putting your child on medication.Updated: 2007-05-02 19:31:56US: 1 in 150 children has AutismUS: 1 in 6 children suffers a developmental disorderNew Jersey: 1 in 94 has Autism UK: 1 in 86 has Autism China : Over 20 lakh autistic children, India : No authentic figures, expected one

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