Ending Stigma on Mental Health Amid Growing Suicide Rate in Teens

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It's also the second leading cause of death in the world among people ages 15 to 24. Depression, anxiety, and​​ other mental health disorders are common, and so is suicide. 

​​According to the American Psychological Association (APA), suicide rates increased by 50% among girls and women between 2000 and 2016 and 21% among boys and men. 

​A recent article from Time Magazine points out 'depression among teens in the U.S., particularly with girls, has jumped 37% in the last decade'. In the article, mental health professionals mention the overuse of technology and social media as a possible culprit. ​​

Knowing this, where do we go from there?

The stigma around mental health has been shifting. Stars like Glen Close with BC2M (Bring Change to Mind) and Jameela Jamil with I Weigh are among those shining light on the issue. Voices are getting louder and more people across various disciplines are joining the conversation. 

Mary Albertoli, a clinical social worker who has worked with children and adolescents for 11 years, in both individual and group settings with depression, PTSD, and suicidal and homicidal ideation is working against the stigma by facilitating the conversations we need to have in an open platform. Albertoli, who has a Master's degree in social work from Columbia University, understands that it "is only through effective conversations about ourselves and with each other that real growth and change takes place."

"There's so much stigma around mental health, but the truth is not one of us is alone in struggling with something"

Enough
​         is Enough

After being deeply affected by a headline about a 9-year-old girl's suicide, she thought, "Enough is enough. When did suicide become an option for young people?" That's when Albertoli started developing the idea for a docu-series called The Shift. She knew this was primarily due to a lack of dialogue about mental health. Young people were failing to bring language to their emotions and traumatic experiences and were often left to deal with haunting mental health issues alone.  

​​Albertoli has partnered with Co-Creators and Producers Nadia Sarmova and Maureen Isern. 

​"Our goal is to provide a relatable and even fun format for young people to engage in discussions they might otherwise avoid, often because of not knowing how to begin," says Isern. Maureen Isern is a social impact strategist, brand manager, and seasoned digital content producer with a 20-year track record working across new categories and start-up environments. 

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​She started MOPED Productions in 2007 to leverage online storytelling that drove action for leading digital platforms, foundations, institutions, and brands. 
 
As Co-Creator of The Shift, Mo is committed to authenticity and making a difference through story-rich experiences that delight, inform, and move people. Mo has helped clients earn People's #TellyAward, Emmy, Webby, and White House recognition, nominations, and awards. She's currently developing content around anxiety, childhood trauma, and end-of-life care to create conversations that empower others in their healing journey. 

Maureen Isern

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​Nadia Sarmova has worked in the entertainment industry for over thirteen years. She has worked on various productions as a Writer and Assistant Director. Nadia is best known as a filmmaker with heart, highlighting controversial stories and marginalized people who are often forgotten. 
 
Nadia's past feature film credits include Foreign Letters, The Investigator, 23 Blast, Russian American, and Netflix's Like Father, just to name a few. Nadia is the Founder & Chief Impact Producer at Beam-In Studios with an upcoming scripted mini-series inspired by the grimy sewers and glittering palaces of international human trafficking.  

Nadia Sarmova

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​The first to join the creators of The Shift was the USC Media Institute for Social Change at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. USCMISC will produce facets of the pilot episode, which will provide insight into recent student experiences with anxiety and depression, the first of many subjects to be addressed by the docu-series. 

Social workers are advocates, community developers, and human rights activists. Albertoli is one of them. Her 'mission is not to diagnose, but to open the door to candid conversations'. What many social workers do is fight for oppressed communities and marginalized individuals, often forgotten about by society.

We hope The Shift does exactly that, create conversations and make it easier for adolescents, young adults, and adults over 30 to fully articulate their emotions and ask for help. 

Q & A with Mary ​Albertoli

IC: Have you had your own experiences with Mental Health?
MA: Yes, of course, I believe we all do. As a teen and young adult, I suffered from severe anxiety and depression and I was attempting to self-medicate my suffering with alcohol. Of course, my methods were ineffective, so I sought out other treatments from talk therapy to hypnosis.

IC: Working as a social worker for 11 years, how has that influenced you and affected you personally?
MA. The biggest gift that my 12 years as a clinical social worker gave to me was the ability to be in pursuit of my own mental alignment. Whether it was talk therapy, group therapy, AA, hypnosis, chakra healing, personal development programs. I have been on a life-long pursuit to see what would help me be with and better understand the emotional pain I sometimes experience. 
  
IC: What are some practices you've adopted that have helped you and/or others work through mental health experiences/issues?  
MA: The creation of a safe space where stigma and judgment are not present has often led to open and authentic dialogue. Once the dialogue begins, I am sure many others can identify with some aspect of what is being shared which causes others not to feel so alone.

Let's talk about your project, The Shift.

IC: What was your inspiration behind this idea? What are you hoping to achieve with this docu-series?
MA: I remember reading the headline that a 9-year-old had hung herself in her bedroom with a rope because she had endured years of horrific racial bullying. I felt physically ill. Through research, I discovered that many very young kids were losing their lives to suicide. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages 15-24. I believe that something needs to be done on a large scale to help these young people. 

What I observed in my practice was that being able to talk about what was going on emotionally without fear of being judged or shamed was critical to beginning the journey to better emotional health. My vision for The Shift was to create a platform where effective peer to peer conversations about mental health struggles can take place. Participants in these conversations will learn they’re not alone and that there’s nothing shameful about emotional and mental health struggles. 
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I believe everyone working on The Shift is hoping to achieve a combination of things and the main one would be to impart this message, Everything starts in conversation. You are not alone and you are not broken!

IC: You’ve partnered up with Nadia Sarmova and Maureen Isern. How did that collaboration begin?
MA: I have been so blessed to have both Maureen and Nadia as Co-Creator and Producers on The Shift. Their commitment has been unwavering. I presented the idea of the show to Maureen first who saw the need and potential to reach and help this struggling population. Shortly after, Nadia joined the team and quickly saw the vision of The Shift. It's been an honor to work with them for the last two years.

IC: In addition to social workers, will other mental health experts like psychologists, psychiatrists, CBT practitioners be involved?
MA: Our goal is to have experts on the show to guide and support the conversations on the show. However, we do not want to provide answers. We want to stop the stigma and start the difficult conversations that this population has been struggling with on a daily basis.

IC: Will you talk about or discuss brain scans?
MA: No, our topics will primarily focus on specific mental health issues that this population has faced from depression and anxiety to school shootings, peer bullying, social media, cutting, coronavirus. Different methodologies for diagnosing and treating will be discussed and possibly explored as well, but our focus is on how conversations can make a difference and lead to getting the help most needed. 
  
IC: Many of those who find themselves homeless are product of trauma and mental health disorders. Will topics about this matter also be addressed? 
MA: Certainly, homelessness can be the direct result of a mental health issue. It may be one topic that we address on the show.
 
IC: When will The Shift go into production?
MA: We’re going through some shifts for sure in our own production plan. We’re exploring the best new ways to develop content differently, including some video calls and online events, which we’ll be announcing as they get solidified. And we aim to be going into on-the-ground production this Fall.

IC: Any other details you can give us about the docu-series? 
MA: We will be launching our updated website,  www.shifttheshow.com on May 1st, 2020.  And you can follow us on Instagram @shifttheshowofficial and on Facebook at  @theShiftshowofficial.
 
IC: When talking about mental health in videos and content creation, do you think there's a "right way" in using the form of self-expression through art? 
MA: I believe the best way to express yourself is authentically.

IC: Will there be content specifically targeted to older generations? 
MA: Our hope and goal is to reach the parents and other members of the community through the conversations that take place on the show.
 
IC: Is there a difference in helping or facilitating the conversation for an adult over 30 vs a teenager?               
MA: From my experience, facilitating a conversation comes from creating a safe space where others can show up any way they truly are and without the fear of  judgment or shame. I believe this works for anyone at any age.

IC: As listeners and witnesses of mental health, how can we help? 
MA: Becoming more aware of your own stigmas regarding mental health and exploring them to see what's in the way of letting them go. We can also let others know that they are not alone in what they are dealing with and by acknowledging their bravery for opening up.
 
IC: Any thoughts about our current situation, COVID-19 and how we can cope and work together during this time? 
MA: We can be generous to ourselves and each other by providing a space and time to share what we are experiencing.  If you’re feeling down, reach out to friends or family members or support groups. We also encourage the use of the Crisis Text Line, text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.

IC: What are some ways parents can facilitate the conversation with their children about mental health? Is there a right question? 
MA: There are no right questions. However, having mental wellness checks, where a parent can simply have their children share what’s there for them emotionally would be great.

Final IC Question...

IC: What are you grateful for today?
MA: I am grateful for the amazing people in my life that I can authentically communicate with, my health, and the amazing team on The Shift.

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If you are in emotional distress or experiencing thoughts of harm to yourself or others, help is available 24/7. 
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) Spanish & English; Deaf & Hard of Hearing TTY 800-799-4889
Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor
If you need mental health treatment but cannot afford it, contact Rise Above The Disorder, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making mental health care accessible to everyone: YouAreRAD.org ​

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by Jessica G Ferrer
writer | editor | translator