Siblings Increase Risk of Developing Mental Health Problems In Youth

Mental health problems in youth are more common than many people realize. As a parent or sibling of someone suffering with mental health problems, it can be difficult to watch them deal with the challenges their illness is accompanied with. For many families, there is a concern about whether mental health problems in youth can be developed in siblings. According to a recent article by Medical News Today, new research has found siblings of individuals that have mental health struggles are at an increased risk of developing them as well.

The Research

A study using data from all patients hospitalized in psychiatric wards in Israel found that having a sibling with schizophrenia increases your risk of developing the illness by a factor of 10. It also increased their risk of developing bipolar disorder and other mental health problems in youth. The same was found of siblings of patients with bipolar disorder.
The lifetime change of suffering from mental health problems in youth is extremely high. It is estimated that each year 38 percent of the population suffers from a mental disorder. An international team has examined the rates of mental disorders in families who have been hospitalized for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. They compared them to over 74,000 controls that could influence the results. The results revealed at how much more of a risk siblings were of developing mental health problems in youth.

Hope for New Knowledge

Researchers hope that this information will make physicians more aware of the risks that siblings and family members have or developing mental health issues if someone within the family suffers from one. The results of the study can continue to be used by researchers to further broaden the understanding of how mental health problems in youth work genetically.
If you or your child are dealing with mental health problems in youth, there are programs available that can help.

blueFire Wilderness can help

blueFire is a wilderness therapy program for struggling teens, ages 11 to 17. Our students often grapple with anxiety, depression, and other emotional or behavioral problems. At blueFire, we strive to help each client succeed.
For more information about blueFire Wilderness, please call 1 (844) 413-1999 today.

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  3. Research Suggests New Brain Area of Interest in Teen Depression 
  4. When To Seek Help For Your Teen’s Mental Health
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Kathy Rex

As long as I can remember the outdoors has been a place that fills my soul with happiness, clarity, peace, inspiration, and connections. Connecting with Mother Nature is powerful and never disappoints, even when hardships are a part of that process. Sitting peacefully in any outdoor setting witnessing even the slightest hint of survival (think of that lone flower that grows out of a rock in the middle of a desert) is my life source and reminds me how precious and our lives are, and how resilient we can be. Having shared experiences with others in the outdoors brings me such joy! My introduction to Wilderness Therapy came at a time when I, myself, was at a crossroads in life. Being witness to the reunification of children with their parents after being apart for several weeks was hands down the most miraculous thing I had ever witnessed. Weeks later, after packing my car with all my belongings, and my then 2 year old son, we ventured out to the deserts of southcentral Idaho to embark on a journey that I have never looked back from. The power and value of that parent-child connection has always been at the core of what has driven me in my home and in my work. My children and grandchildren are pretty remarkable too. What I learned early on, and continue to learn, is that change is hard…..and necessary. We have to be able to be honest with ourselves, listen to others, communicate effectively, and continually make decisions which are based on the best information available to us at the time. One cannot hide from themselves for long when they learn to sit still, observe, and then take action. Trust, Reliance, Vulnerability, Humility, Sacrifice, Acceptance, Confidence, Honesty, etc. The list goes on and on as far as what one is capable of experiencing in a wilderness setting. Since 1989 I have had many wonderful opportunities to be able to guide young people on their own journeys while enjoying the outdoors. Seeing the joy and eye-popping realization of one’s own value and capabilities is what drives me to stay involved in the work I do on a daily basis. Families embarking on this journey together is miraculous and inspiring. SouthCentral Idaho provides the perfect landscape for this amazing opportunity. Wilderness Therapy is my calling.