Description
NC InCK's September 2025 Integrated Care Rounds discuss a case study in adolescent behavioral health and resources that can support families and children to proactively mitigate potential harm.
Click this link for the September 2025 Integrated Care Rounds Slide Deck
Key Takeaways
- Depression commonly begins in adolescence. Between 2009 and 2019, the prevalence of adolescent depression nearly doubled.
- Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. 90% of individuals who attempt suicide have an underlying psychiatric condition, and depression is the most common one.
- Know the difference between active and passive suicidal statements. Active statements indicate intent or a plan (“I want to die”), while passive ones indicate hopelessness (“I wish I weren’t here”). Both matter and should always prompt further evaluation.
- Referrals to behavioral health services often take time. During this waiting period, care managers can support families by monitoring the referral, helping them find ways to manage stress, and encouraging healthy behaviors like staying active and connected.
Resources
- North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL) - Provider-facing resource to connect providers with pediatric psychiatrists and social workers who can help identify mental health resources. This site also includes tips for how families can talk to their primary care provider about mental health.
- 988 Lifeline - 24/7, free, confidential mental health hotline that connects individuals in need of support with counselors across the United States and its territories. People do not have to be suicidal to call or text 988. Reasons to call include: substance use disorder, economic worries, relationships, culture and identity, illness, intimate partner violence, depression, mental and physical illness, and loneliness. Services are available in Spanish and for those who are deaf/hard of hearing.
- NAMI NC - Operates a free helpline to individuals seeking mental health support. This site also has a guide to navigating a mental health crisis.
- The Adolescent Health Resource Center - Information on mental health and care access for teens, caregivers, primary care providers, and youth-serving professionals.