For many teenagers who have turned to for help, anxiety is so high that they no longer want to go to school, there is depression and, in parallel, the use of various intoxicating substances.
“There's probably bullying, probably an eating disorder, it's in such a big mess together and then we try to untangle it,” said Diāna Gema, head of the Tukums branch of the Teenage Resource Center. “The thought of not succeeding will fail, which turns to panic attacks. Can't get up in the morning. Can't breathe. The teenager says I'm not going to that school.”
This year substance abuse habits have changed: teenagers drink less alcohol and use more psychotropic substances.
“Alcohol was the most common substance last year. This year drugs and toxic substances, glue, petrol, weed, LSD, and psychotropic substances - medications have increased significantly this year,” said Liene Dambiņa, board chairwoman of the Teenage Resource Center.
"Of those teenagers who received help this year, and there are more than 11 thousand of them across Latvia, half live with both parents. It's wonderful, but it doesn't mean they don't face problems. But we see that the best results are for those whose parents are also engaging in our program, both in the group and in family therapy," explained Dambiņa.
If the whole family gets involved. 70% of young people achieve their targets, according to the center. The goal can be, for example, to drop an addiction, finish school, or improve relationships with classmates. So doctors at the Teenage Resource Center are delighted that this year's charity “High Five!” marathon is targeting young people directly.
“It's a part of society we don't want to see. That's where our undone things appear well, bullying at school that isn't addressed. This is our undone homework,“ noted children's psychiatrist Annete Masaļska.
