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Research has demonstrated that <br />adolescent substance use may <br />result in the development of <br />mental health problems in <br />young adulthood, such as <br />depression, anxiety disorders, <br />and emotional distress. <br />Additionally, adolescents who <br />suer from depression, anxiety <br />or emotional distress may use <br />alcohol to escape or cope with <br />the symptoms of these disorders. <br />However, using alcohol may <br />prohibit adolescents from <br />developing healthy interperson- <br />al, self-regulatory & coping skills, <br />which may result in experiencing <br />further symptoms of depression, <br />anxiety disorders, and emotional <br />stress). <br />There are a number of factors that <br />can put an adolescent at risk for <br />underage alcohol use. <br />When adolescents display alcohol related content on their social media pages, it <br />perpetuates the false belief that “everybody is doing it.” In reality... <br />of CHCCS middle school students report not having a <br />drink of alcohol in the last 30 days. <br />Research has confirmed that social media influences adolescents’ decisions about <br />alcohol. Social media exposes adolescents to peer alcohol behavior and alcohol <br />adverting, two important factors that influence real-life alcohol use. <br />Displaying references to alcohol or alcohol-use on social media sites is associated <br />with offline alcohol behaviors – adolescents whose Facebook posts suggested <br />problem drinking behaviors are more likely to score as “at risk” on a <br />problem-drinking survey. <br />Increasingly, social media sites are being recognized as an environment in which <br />adolescents may display signs and symptoms of mental health problems, including <br />underage alcohol abuse. <br />A recent study asked a sample of first-year college students how they want to be <br />approached when others observe references to mental health concerns on their <br />Facebook profiles. <br />• All participants in this study indicated that they would want a friend to <br /> approach them, and 93% of participants indicated that they would <br /> want a familiar adult to approach them, if they observed references to <br /> depression on the participant’s Facebook. <br />• Participants preferred for more direct forms of communication, such <br /> as an in-person conversation. <br />If you believe your child is in need of professional help for alcohol abuse, first talk to <br />them about it. For more information on substance abuse services in your area, <br />contact the Orange County Health Department, or visit the links below: <br />• www.orangecountync.gov/departments/health/contact_us.php <br />• uncmedicalcenter.org/uncmc/care-treatment/alcohol-and-substance-abuse <br />• freedomhouserecovery.org <br />Teens can decrease and manage <br />stress with the following behaviors <br />and techniques: <br />1. Exercise regularly <br />2. Learn relaxation exercises and <br />practical coping skills <br />3. Build a network of friends who <br />help them cope in a positive way <br />Mental Health and <br />Underage Alcohol Use Social Media Can Influence Underage Drinking <br />Communication Strategies for Approaching <br />Adolescents Who Display Worrisome Online Content <br />67% <br />94% <br />of CHCCS high school students report not having a <br />drink of alcohol in the last 30 days. <br />Sources: (Trim et al., 2007), (YRBS, 2015), (Moreno & Whitehall, 2014), <br />(Whitehall et al., 2013), aacap.org, amhsa.gov A Conversation Worth Having <br />Mental Health, Social Media, and Alcohol Use