The October Crisis

October holds World Mental Health Day, and it’s no wonder. Mental health crisis often spikes in October. The reasons for the spike are unclear, but I have long hypothesized that the academic calendar plays a big role. School starts in the fall, and the pace of life is in full force, often becoming overwhelming, by October. When I was in psychiatry residency training, we referred to the phenomenon as the “October Crisis.”

This October has been no exception. There has been a surge in suicide attempts and drug overdoses. Teens run away, school age children threaten self-harm, college students drop out, and overwhelmed parents seek support for their distress. 

To cope with the most difficult part of the year, families needs support and structure. 

Support:
Families under stress can benefit from support, long before any kind of crisis starts brewing. Sources of support include:
•    Faith communities
•    Mentors
•    School counselors
•    Community agencies
•    Mental health professionals

Structure
Creating structure can help prevent crisis, or get things under control quickly for a struggling family
•    Regular bedtimes and wake times
•    Homework rules and schedules
•    Tutoring
•    Careful decisions about the extent of extracurricular activities
•    Parental monitoring
•    Family dinners
•    Down time

If a family is overwhelmed, the first place to begin is usually with a school professional or a counseling professional. Seeking advice can keep a stressful time of year from turning into an all out crisis. 

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Melissa Deuter.