AD24 Keynote 02 - Helping Anxious, Isolated, and Depressed Teens: How Can We Do Better? - Lynn Lyons, LICSW

There’s no escaping the dire reports about the high rates of anxiety and depression in teens and young adults. The theories about what is driving the increase are multiple and overlapping, from the pandemic to social media to parenting to the state of the world. And while therapists obviously want to help, are we truly doing what works? Or are we buying into the same mental health trends and assumptions as the young people we’re trying to help? In this keynote, Lynn encourages mental health providers to question the myths, trends, and sometimes surprising approaches to addressing youth mental health and to focus our efforts on treatment based on action, connection, and accurate psychoeducation.

Educational Objectives:

1. Describe the impact of self-labeling on adolescents.

2. Create at least 2 interventions that support social connection in adolescents and young adults.

3. Identify three cognitive patterns that increase risk of anxiety and depression.