Page 19 - Silver Linings Issue3

Continuing THE CONVERSATION:
Adolescents Mental Health
Adolescence can be a trying time. Many adults who suffer from psychological or addiction disorders can trace the genesis of their problems to their teen years,
or earlier.
While each generation of adolescents face their own unique challenges, many teens are now talking openly about mental health and their psychological concerns.
Once a problem is in the open, it can be treated, managed and, perhaps, solved, says Elizabeth Ortiz- Schwartz, MD, the lead psychiatrist on the inpatient adolescent unit at Silver Hill Hospital.
“The forums in which these things are talked about are changing and that can decrease some of the reluctance to open up,” Ortiz- Schwartz says. “The more people
can talk about their own struggles and stories, the more we can change the perception of mental illness and turn the conversation toward mental wellness and what keeps people functioning at their best.
“There’s still a long way to go,” she adds. “Teen mental health in this country is an area that is extremely under served.”
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Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz is the lead psychiatrist on the inpatient adolescent unit at Silver Hill Hospital and has helped young people navigate their mental health struggles throughout her career.
She is a frequent guest speaker at community events and has been interviewed as an expert in the field by several media outlets.
SILVER LININGS MAGAZINE | ISSUE THREE | FALL 2021
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