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Mental Health Awareness: How To Assess Your Struggling Teen- 6 Tips For Parents

Many parents wonder, how do I know if my teen is struggling with mental illness?

If they are it isn’t something to look down upon, but getting help is essential to their wellbeing. Here are 6 signs for parents who may think their teens are struggling should look for.

Does Your Child Suffer Severe Mood Swings That Result In Isolation From Friends And Family?

Teens struggling with mental illness may have a hard time keeping relationships. They may isolate to the “safety of their room”, or just be different when it comes to old patterns, especially with friends and family.

If they are withdrawing from activities that they have always engaged in and are experiencing rapid change in mood or temperament, it may be time to consider that there are underlying issues if you haven’t already.  

Has Your Child Suffered An Extreme Loss Or Traumatic Experience?

Has your family recently experienced a major change like separation or divorce? Has your teen lost a beloved friend or loved one? There are many reasons why PTSD and abandonment issues can form in teens.

They are becoming old enough to be self-aware; of where life has taken them. They can become estranged due to major changes. They may freeze, have emotional or hysterical outbursts, and/or depressive episodes. This also can lead to trouble sleeping.

Do They Show Major Change In Style Or Appearance?

Teens suffering from untreated mental illness might make a drastic change when it comes to their self-presentation. Their wardrobe may turn to black, they may listen to darker music, or they may have a complete change in personality. It may be not very noticeable or the change may be drastic. A lack of hygiene is also a major red flag for parents.

Has Your Teen Been Using Drugs And Alcohol Regularly Or Sneaking Out?

Addiction is sweeping the nation and affecting teens’ lives more than ever. With the introduction of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, teens are having a smaller chance of making it out than ever before.

People forget that addiction and alcoholism aren’t a choice: it’s a disease. Drugs and alcohol are only symptoms of addiction. There is a major difference between usage and addiction, but if you believe your teen is suffering from addiction, have an intervention as soon as humanly possible.

Get them an addiction counselor, into a 12 step program, and make sure they are staying sober. You cannot force your kids to get clean and sober because it has to be a choice they make. An intervention with loved ones, friends, and respected adults who are being affected could save their life.

Is Your Child Having Significant Weight Gain Or Loss?

If you notice your teen is experiencing severe weight gain or weight loss that can be signs of addiction or eating disorders. Make sure they see a psychiatrist and/or their healthcare professional as soon as possible. That might save their life.

Are They Self Harming Or Attempting Suicide?

Many teens across the nation struggle deeply with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. These can lead to suicide attempts and the possibility of the nightmare becoming a reality.  What is the solution?

Getting Them The Help They Need:

Do research on your local psychiatrist and think about putting your teens in an inpatient or outpatient program. Booking an appointment with a PSYCHIATRIST AND THERAPIST can save them. You need to be vigilant and get them help when they show any signs of mental illness.

Many parents do not know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The most significant difference is that psychiatrists prescribe medication.

Medication is really not dangerous. They save people’s lives. Talk to their health care professional and do research on mental health specialists like psychiatrists and psychologists in your area.

Video and article coming soon on teens suffering addiction

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Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center Teams Up With Itchy Mitchy To Raise Awareness For Struggling Teens

The Itchy Mitchy Show has been invited to the Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Center in Phoenix, AZ. At “The Rock” we will be interviewing fellow teens, speaking to local Phoenix schools, and so much more! This opportunity from a renowned teen center is an “absolute dream come true” says Mitchell Roggenbuck, founder of The Itchy Mitchy Show.

The Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Center is a christian non-for-profit based out of Phoenix, AZ. Shock rock icon Alice Cooper founded this amazing organization in 2012 to give back to struggling teens in his hometown.

What Is Solid Rock All About?

The Rock is a safe place for local kids to hang out, learn music, and build lifelong friendships instead of the alternative of being out on the streets. The Rock is a safe zone for teens to express themselves, get free music lessons, dance lessons, and overall to learn healthy ways of expressing themselves.

In a world of drugs, violence, and temptation, The Rock is a place where teens can escape. Between 50–100 teens go to the teen center on any given day. Teen centers are crucial to struggling teens’ lives, and Alice Cooper founded the absolute best.

Teens At Risk In The 21st Century

Our generation is struggling more than ever before. Between mental illness, bullying, drugs, alcohol, abuse, and so much more, we are in a major crisis.

The Solid Rock Teen Centers Statistic Rates On Teen Risk Factors

Teens are struggling like never before when it comes to narcotic abuse, mental health, self-harm, and suicide. The opioid crisis is still running large in teens’ lives. This is why we need teen centers.

The Benefits Of Solid Rock

Teen centers are safe zones. According to Solid Rock, “Studies have revealed that involvement in the arts (music, dance, art, self-expression) lead to greater success in school, regardless of socioeconomic status.”

At Solid Rock, teens from all walks of life are able to invest their skills and time into productive outlets of self-expression. The Rock provides teens with instruments, lessons, masterclasses, and so much more.

They are also always looking for donations to the program.

“Yes we do accept musical instruments in good working order for donations (no horns, flutes or pianos, with the exception of weighted keyboards) as well as any in-kind donations of school supplies, computers, art supplies, food, etc. Please refer to our Donate page for more information on how you can get involved.”

Alice Cooper Solid Rock FAQ Page

If you have the ability to send support their way, all donations are crucial to keeping The Rock alive.

The Rock is a great place for kids to grow in ways that are unseen in most teen centers across the nation. They do not “tolerate any drugs, alcohol, inappropriate language, weapons, gang colors, bullying or disrespect in any form.” It is a very safe environment for your teen. If you are in the area, you should get them involved today.

Alice Cooper In My Life

As a teen who was struggling with untreated mental illness, bullying, and addiction, music kept me going from day to day. Alice Cooper was one of the most influential musicians in my life and my absolute hero since I was 7 years old.

Since 2009 I have seen Alice live between 2–3 times a year. His story inspired me to overcome my vices and change my life in ways that I never thought possible. In the start of my journey to overcome addiction, the first thing said to me was, “If Alice F***ing Cooper can get sober, so can you.” I remind myself of that every day. Having a Christian teen center that focuses on those fundamentals is an amazing outlet for so many.

From falling in love for the first time at a Hollywood Vampires concert, (a rock ‘n roll supergroup with the legendary Alice Cooper as their frontman) to Alice Cooper being my first concert I ever attended, Alice Cooper has shaped my life and is my life.

Alice Cooper gave me perspective on life. When I was at the point in my life that I developed a “Baby’s brain and an old man’s heart” like depicted in I’m Eighteen, all I had in life was confusion. Through the depths of addiction I could finally understand the meaning of the song Ballad Of Dwight Fry when Alice sings, “See my lonely life unfold, I see it every day. See my lonely mind explode, since I’ve gone away.”

Alice Cooper has shaped me into the person I have become. Teens attending Solid Rock are so lucky to have such an amazing place to grow and develop. Alice Cooper saved my life, which I will be forever and eternally grateful for, and it is so amazing that his ideology has been implemented in a way that directly helps other teens who are living through the same hell I once was.

Support The Solid Rock Teen Center

Support the Solid Rock Teen Center by clicking HERE. You can also check out the Solid Rock Shop! All proceeds go towards The Rock.

Stay posted for upcoming content on The Itchy Mitchy Show’s trip to Phoenix! Coming out May 2020! (Coronavirus Dependent)

Thank you to the #itchymitchynation for all your support. We couldn’t do it without you guys. Thanks to all my friends and family who show their support on a daily basis.

Also special thanks to Randy Spencer at the Solid Rock Teen Center for all your help in making this dream come true. It means the world to me and I am ecstatic about this amazing opportunity! Last but not least, thank you Alice for the impact you have made on my life and the amazing opportunities you are giving to our generation. I hope to be able to meet with you sometime in the future!

Check out Alice Cooper’s latest album Paranormal! Get your copy of this masterpiece today!

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Can I Graduate High School Early? The Answer Is YES!

Hi, this is the Itchy Mitchy show. I’m your host, Itchy Mitchy, and today we’re going to talk about, “Should I graduate from high school early?” This is an option that’s looked down upon by most institutions, and socially. People don’t think that if you leave high school early that you can have a successful future… which is false!

Many people don’t understand that this is an option that is not for everybody. For the people who need it, it’s an option that can save your life. If you can’t handle the bullying, the stress, or for any circumstance if high school is making you utterly miserable, this is an option for you. This is a way that you can change your life.

Can you leave high school early? Yes you can indeed!
High schools across the nation are ignoring crucial signs of struggle in students. Take action for yourself and if you are someone struggling, there are options available to leave your high school and start college a year early.

This isn’t something that you can just sign off on and think that you’re going to be able to do it if you’re not determined and don’t take the right steps. This is something that you need to talk about with your parents, your mentors, your peers — not the school, because they won’t support you. Breaking News: the school blatantly lies to you to try to keep you there. Not all schools — I’m not calling out all schools, but I know from my experience the school will try to keep you there with whatever it takes.

The Schools Opinion…

They don’t want kids to leave. It makes them look bad. A lot of schools really truly don’t care about how the students are feeling, how they’re being treated, and they don’t do anything to change it. If you are struggling with high school; if you’re struggling with what you’re going through, this is an option to change your life from going from nothing and failing to being a year ahead of the rest of your class.

For me this option was necessary. I had to take many steps to get to this point. I changed my life around. I was struggling so badly through high school. I was failing everything. I wasn’t showing up. I was hanging around with the wrong people, the wrong crowds, doing the wrong things. I was the perfect image of what a high school F**K-up is.

Honestly, I can never change what I did. But this gave me an option to have a successful future. This isn’t something that you can just blow off. You can’t just leave High School and expect to get a diploma. There’s many steps you need to take.

You Are Not Alone!

A lot of kids are struggling and you are not alone. This isn’t something that you have to go through alone. There’s a way to make it better. You can leave high school early, get a diploma, and go to college the next semester. This is an opportunity for many kids across the country that is not really presented to them.

Well, the school doesn’t always fully support this, and I know from my experience that sure as $@$& they will not support this, but this is something that you need to research and do work on yourself if you think that graduating from high school early is right for you.

What It Takes

This isn’t something that you can just pull out of your @$#. This is something that you need to take seriously. Make a plan. For that plan you have to get your parents involved, but honestly, it really is pretty easy, and the school tries to make it sound like you’re doing this life-changing thing for the worse, and that you can’t do it. There’s so many reasons on why you can’t do it, but they are lying to you and they will try to lie to you and they will do everything they can in their power to keep you there.

You need to know your facts. You need to know how you are going to execute it. You do not need to disclose that to them because it is none of their business. All they need to do is sign a paper to transfer your credits over and that’s it. Your parents need to fill out a form for you to leave High School, you get a diploma whenever you can finish taking a test, and boom, done! You’re out.

The Importance Of This Option

This is an amazing opportunity for so many kids across the country that is not given to them. This is something that needs to be relevant and needs to be there for kids who are in pain. The schools and many institutions are looking down upon us and they think that they can lie to us and not tell us the full truth or anything close to the truth with any relevance.

They think that they can lie to us and that we’re going to take it for no reason except for their delusion. You do not need to take it anymore. Our generation is getting lied to and cheated out of success. If you need help — if you need to get out of high school and change your life, then you should do it.

I fully support you. If you talk to your parents and tell them how badly you need this, and that this option truly is real, send them my video. I am here advocating for you. I want you to get the help you need and I want you to have a successful future. If graduating high school early is the best option for you, run with it. Do not look back.

Have a successful future!

-Itchy Mitchy

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What You Should Do To Prepare For The Coronavirus: The United States Is Next

“It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness”

Dr. Nancy Messonnier

Forming in  Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, the Coronavirus has sparked panic on a world wide scale. Panic is being sparked across the nation, but should we truly be scared? According to the CDC, the risk for American citizens is low, but what do we do if that changes?

What Is The Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a vast family of viruses that usually only affect cattle. They have been around for ages. First reports were said to be due to animal-to- human contraction. Later cases are reported to be human-to-human transfer.

Though not thoroughly understood, the virus stands as a high danger risk. At the moment there is no cure. United States Congress is putting forward funding towards vaccination at this time. The question we all have though is will it be too late?

As we stand, the virus is a “public health emergency of international concern“. We all need to be prepared for the spread of this virus. As of right now in the United States, there is no communicable spread of the virus.

What Are The Symptoms Of The Coronavirus?

According to the CDC, “Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death.”

What should you be looking for? Symptoms for the Coronavirus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately. Use your better judgement and don’t put others at risk.

It is quite nerve racking in respect to how basic these symptoms are. It takes 2-14 days for symptoms to arise.

Who Should You Call If You Start To Show Signs Of Coronavirus?

Call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of the coronavirus. Make sure to discuss any international travel or contact with people who have. If you are in close contact with anyone who has traveled internationally, call immediately.

Your doctor will work with the CDC to see if you need to be tested for COVID-19. Preparation is the only way to stay safe in this situation. Be aware and stay alert.

How To Become Prepared For COVID-19

For the time being, there is no cure or prevention of this virus. The only way to stay safe is to stay away from it. Wash your hands, avoid contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you get sick. Institutions are a high risk for the spread of Coronavirus.

Limit your time in highly concentrated places. The risk of infection is much higher where there is more people. Large cities like Chicago, New York, Detroit, and many more are a big risk. If you have the ability, stay away from large cities.

Don’t wear a facemask. According to the CDC, you should only wear a facemask if you show symptoms of the virus. It is not effective in prevention of respiratory diseases for people who are not sick. Though this being said, it is utterly impecable to wear a facemask in all clinical settings.

Follow guidelines for travel. That being said, if you have no reason to go international, stay home. Some people have necessary reasons to travel abroad, but if you don’t, why put yourself at risk?

Stay Updated On The Spread Of The Coronavirus

Developments on this virus are being made every day. Stay updated on risk levels in your area.

For more information on the Coronavirus, keep updated with the CDC.

For more great info on all the best topics, check out Itchy Mitchy on YouTube!

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Teen Suicide Rates In 2020 Are On The Rise. Here’s Why!

Teen suicide rates are on the rise across the nation like never before. With unseen exponential growth in these statistics many are wondering why this is happening. Many people are unaware of the vast severity of this situation.

The “suicidal stereotype” needs to be broken. There is an unofficial socal differentiation between kids who are deemed at risk and who are not. We as a whole need to express this worry for kids of all walks of life. Mental illness doesn’t have a face. We can’t expect there to be blatant warning signs from all kids. 

Lack Of Education On Mental Health

There is a lack of education and understanding of mental health. Stigmas form when it comes to mental illness. This makes kids who are struggling feel singled out and odd. Warning signs arise all over especially in the eyes of high schoolers. The problem is that it is so normal for us. Actions like self harm are judged and looked past. The problem is that these kids need the attention they are seeking in the form of help. 

There truly is a distinguished difference in self-harm between teens truly struggling and who are doing it on the basis of solely attention, but this can develop to a new level. Self-harm for many struggling teens is a euphoria. This is only otherwise is only achieved by use of drugs or alcohol. Many do it as a form of relief rather than trying to catch some sympathy.

In either regard, if you see something, say something. If you yourself are struggling, there are many ways to reach out. If you broke a limb, would you just push off going to the hospital and push through it? Mental illness is no different. 

 Lack of understanding makes people scared to be open. These are the kids who are at the greatest risk. Keeping everything bottled up in fear of judgement, hate, or bullying over the matter leads to many making their plan of action come true. 

Unachievable Social Standards

In society today, there is an unachievable and unreasonable standard for young people that affects their self worth and willingness to live greatly.  Parents are a major player in this. We are classified by fulfilling goals that are not achievable.

With the new revelation of STEM being the only path to success, there is a lack of freedom. Everything we dream of doing is wrong in their eyes. Our society can’t function without individuality. There is no support of differentiation in the modern world.

Parents and schools truly are crushing dreams. They are making unachievable standards for teens to reach. Not every student can achieve straight A’s. Possibly could we consider that mental illness could be a major factor in this?

Degrading children into doing better obviously isn’t working, so why don’t we try a different approach? If you are a parent and your child is struggling, bring them to a psychiatrist. Have your child be open and honest with them and they might end up being sick rather than “lazy” or “stupid” or “not putting in enough effort”. 

Bullying On The Rise

Bullying is on the rise more than ever. According to stopbullying.gov, 70.6% of young people witness bullying in their schools. We thought that it was getting under control but we were wrong.

Social media is killing us. Between body shaming, racism, sexism, and homophobia along with every other reason under the sun, nobody this day in age feels good enough. It is a constant struggle to maintain an image that we want everyone to see us as. Our generation that is so used to only perfection.

This leads to destroying others self worth in the wake of us just being self-conscious of ourselves. Personally, if you the reader have never experienced some form of bullying or hate in your life then you are 1 in a million. Bullying, especially with the use of social media, now is higher than ever before.

Get The Help You Need

Our generation needs help. Suicide rates are just going to keep skyrocketing if we don’t make change, and it all starts with you. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, self-harm, bullying, or suicidal thoughts, know you are not alone.

You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There are many groups to help you through your struggles as well. Know that there is hope and that you will be able to make it through this. Check out “4 Reasons Teen Suicide Rates Are On The Rise” on Itchy Mitchy for more information about this crisis. 

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Love Addiction: What Is Love Addiction? How To Overcome Love Addiction In Your Life

Love Addiction: How To Overcome Love Addiction In Your Life

Love addiction. is a struggle for many across the world. You may not know that you can be addicted to a person, but it is more common than you may think. There are many of us suffering from this disease every day.

If you are suffering. from love addiction or suspect you are, there is recovery. Like any addiction, there is a program outlined that you can follow. Love addiction may be a bump in the road but does not need to control your entire life.

What Is Love Addiction?

Love addiction is a form of codependency between two individuals that form over time. There are chasers and avoidants. A love addict sees the love avoidant as someone they are not.

Many of these tendencies stem from underlying abandonment issues. Some of these issues are unconscious but some are very prevalent in people’s lives. Many people go through times of abandonment.

It can either be the loss of a close friend, abandonment by a parent, loss of a family member, or many other reasons. It causes a change in the mind that makes us long for the comfort and love of someone. In the case of love addiction, it is someone who is not emotionally available.

As said before, we see these people as someone they are not. It is like your personal knight in shining armor that happens to walk into your life. Love addiction makes us have an obsession based on this person that can make it hard to break away.

How Do I Know If I’m A Love Addict?

Love addiction is not solely with a partner. It can form in many different kinds of relationships. It is solely an obsession of a person that drives us mad and delusional.

It really shoes if we lose this person from our life. Love avoidants will find other occupations or hobbies and slowly distance themselves from you until they leave completely. This leaves love addicts estranged and mad.

Love addicts may turn to substances to fill the void, multiple spontaneous relationships to fill the void, and could result in death depending on the route they take. Many love addicts can turn the addictive nature to substances. There are resources on our site for those who think they may be struggling with substance abuse.

Love addiction is not something you have to face alone either. There is a way to seek recovery from this addiction.

What Do I Do If I’m A Love Addict?

There is an amazing book by Pia Mellody called Facing Love Addiction. This book saved many love addicts I personally know and can help you too. Check it out today!

Order Your Copy Today HERE

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How To Graduate High School Early At 16! Going From High School Junior To College Freshman

High schools across the nation are not giving teens to support that they need, and this is something that needs to change. They are misinforming, miscommunicating, and not there for teens when they need it most.

I’m doing this process myself. It’s going amazingly, and I’m here to educate you on how to do this in your own life. So to graduate high school early, there are three steps you need to take:

Are you struggling with a toxic high school experience? Are you suffering from bullying, depression, addiction, or abuse? There is a way to leave high school at 16 and take the time you need to focus on yourself. High schools across the nation are neglecting their students’ needs. Teen suicide rates are at a 20 year high. We are struggling more than ever before and the 21st-century high school social constructs are devastating to teenage mental health. This is the “forbidden knowledge” that high schools don’t want you to know: Senior year is not needed. You have the ability to start college as a 16-year-old high school Junior. This option helps give you the opportunity to take time to seek the help struggling teens get the help they need. Even this day in age, mental health is still getting overlooked. Early graduation is a direct way of making positive changes in your own life. Taking this route requires determination and strength, but can honestly save lives. Change is on the horizon. Our generation can not endure any more suffering. We need to stand up and make a change.

One is getting out of the high school you’re in. When you do this, it will enable you to get your HSE, which is your high school equivalency diploma in four different states. It’s different things in some states. I know in a lot of states have a TASC exam and it is very beneficial to your future.

It’s not something to be looked down upon. It shows that you’re smarter than the other kids that would be graduating senior year through high school and it gets just as much credit as what you would graduate with for a senior year. In New York state, for me, it’s called the TASC. So the TASC exam is what you need to take to get into college early. So then Step 2 in this process is your parent’s permission.

You need to get permission from your parents to do this if you’re under the age of 18, and this is a big step that needs to be taken seriously. You need to explain to them why you should leave high school early and they need to sign off on you leaving high school and a big thing to do when you are discussing this with your parents is do not say that you’re dropping out.

It can help because this isn’t dropping out. You have to accept the answer that your parents give you. If they tell you no, you have to explain to them why you need to do this, and why it’s good for you. So you need to make a plan to go to college. So in New York state with the TASC exam, what you need to do is get conditional acceptance to college.

There’s a video on my channel about how to get conditional acceptance. It’s actually fairly easy. You should check that out. You can’t get discouraged in this process and getting pre-accepted into college early is a very easy task, and as simple as one email. You just take five three-hour tests in different core subjects and you get your diploma.

From there, you can start taking college early. You can start school in the next semester and this is a big step towards having a brighter future. If you’re sick and struggling, check out my video on should I graduate high school early and see if you should for yourself. If it’s not right for you, then it may not be a good option to go, but for many sick and suffering kids Across the Nation, this is the way that You should go.

If you’re not already subscribed to the channel hit the Subscribe button above. Like this video, share with your friends, and leave a comment below on what new Itchy Mitchy videos you would like to see. I want to hear your ideas. Thank you very much for all your support. Itchy Mitchy out.