Isaac's Story

Different Kinds of Hurt

It's OK not to feel ok. #ItsOK

Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story, an animated film and graphic novel for elementary and middle school-aged children, shows how an honest conversation about “different kinds of hurting” between two classmates can have a life long effect. Isaac and Mia have been out of school for a while— Mia’s fall sent her to the E.R. and she has a cast and crutches, but Isaac looks fine. He explains that he was in a “different kind of hospital,” one that helps when thoughts and feelings are hurting. As they compare notes about how they knew they needed help, what the hospital and doctors were like, and their fears and hopes for the future, they realize that physical and mental health aren’t all that different; both require sharing your feelings to help the healing.

Why talking to kids about mental health is important

One-in-ten children have a diagnosable mental health issue.

Children with untreated mental health issues are more likely to self-harm, drop out of school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and be incarcerated.

In the last 10 years, suicide rates among adolescents has doubled.

For many adults who have mental disorders, symptoms were present—but often not recognized or addressed—in childhood and adolescence.

On the long term effects, NIH released a study that concluded, “Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends. ”

There’s also some updated suicide information out there.

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among children and adolescents, ages 10-17, in the United States
  • Suicide rates have increased in the age group over the past 20 years.
  • Results indicated that rates of suicide ideation and attempts were statistically higher during 2020 compared to 2019

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