City helps teens on MySpace

In an effort to support youths coping with depression, drug abuse and dating violence, the Health Department announced on July 7 an online campaign, NYC Teen Mindspace, operated on the social networking web site MySpace.
The Internet medium was chosen because of its popularity among young people, who will find blogs, music, quizzes, polls, games, fact sheets and more at www.myspace.com/nycteen_mindspace.
“Social networking sites present a unique opportunity to help teenagers with mental health problems,” said Dr. David Rosin, Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene. “By reaching out to young people where they socialize, in a style they can relate to, we make it easier for them to talk and seek help.”
In New York City, 30 percent of high school students said they experience sadness that keeps them from daily activities, while 8 percent report attempting suicide in the past year. The problems extend to dating violence, which 11 percent encountered over the same year, up from 7 percent in 1999. Rates of alcohol abuse and marijuana use dropped to 15 and 12 percent, respectively.
The survey reflected teens’ reluctance to seek help with their emotional difficulties. More than 20 percent said, they talked to no one about their problems, 31 percent said they would talk only to a friend, and 32 percent said they would talk only to an adult.
The Mindspace page aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and eliminate the stigma that keeps teens silent. The fictional video blogs for Kyle, Nicole and Stephanie follow teenage characters through familiar struggles with drugs and depression. Anyone can follow their stories by adding a character as a “friend” on MySpace. Teens can send a confidential message to a mental health counselor from LifeNet, a service offered by the Mental Health Association of New York City, where they can get help and referrals to treatment. Although the web site does not provide live assistance, it encourages teens to call 1-800-LIFENET, where counselors are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors are urged to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Fact sheets and quizzes focusing on stress and abuse that can be forwarded to friends offer guidance and perspective. Questions like “Have you ever felt the need to harm yourself or others?” allow teens to compare their feelings with those of their peers.
The ubiquity of social networking sites among teens makes such sweeping outreach initiatives possible. Research from the Pew Research Center reported that 93 percent of U.S. teens use the Internet and 85 percent of them visit social networking sites, half of them visiting their personal profiles daily.
“Many teens are reluctant to seek help,” said Dr. Myla Harrison, Assistant Commissioner for Child and Adolescent Services. “Engaging with these characters may help teens express their feelings, connect with others and realize that help is available. They may also realize that they don’t have to take risks and endanger themselves. Instead, they will see the characters think about how to direct their own lives in a safer, healthier way.”