Health concerns have always been associated with older age, but the epidemic of mental health struggles faced by the youth has become a topic of discussion. While more people have begun speaking openly about the struggles they face with their mental health, the prevalence of mental health issues has always been a real problem.
A 2007 study stated that mental health issues ranged from 8% up to 57% within the ages of 12 to 24. A more recent studyestimated a worldwide prevalence of mental health disorders of up to 14%. There are multiple factors that impact mental state. The more risks faced by adolescents, the greater the impact on their mental health. Given the state of the current socio-economic climate, young people are faced with new challenges that pose a threat to their personal wellbeing. This includes increased poverty, violence, the rise of social media, COVID-19, and political changes.
Emotional Disorders
Emotional disorders include mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression. Anxiety refers to feelings of unease such as fear and worries that can vary in severity. It is reported that anxiety disorders are the most prevalent, with 7% of adolescents experiencing them. Depression is a medical illness that can cause feelings of intense sadness, despair, and hopelessness. It often impacts ability to function in everyday activities such as school and work. Depression is often linked to suicide and is the fourth leading cause of death among those between the ages of 15 and 19.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve unhealthy relationships with food, as well as heightened concerns with physical appearance and body weight. They commonly begin emerging during adolescence and have increased due to the nature of social media and the way in which it is used. It is important to note that many eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, have been linked to premature death. Eating disorders are said to have a higher mortality rate than any other mental disorder.
Suicide and Self-Harm
As stated above, suicide is said to be the fourth leading cause of death within adolescent groups. The risks and stigmas associated with suicide are multifaceted and include abuse, connotations associated with seeking help, barriers to accessing help, and drugs and alcohol abuse.
Seeking Help
Reaching out for help is a courageous and life-saving step in recovery from mental health disorders. Some of the waysinclude –
- Turning to family, friends, caregivers, or neighbors – If you have supportive relationships in which you feel safe to bring up personal struggles, then reaching out to those people can be a good first step in getting effective help.
- Talking to your doctor – Medical health professionals are trained on how to address mental health concerns brought up by their patients. They should be able to advise you on how to seek professional help.
- Reaching out to teachers – Teachers can often become support systems for their students. As with doctors, teachers will often be able to direct you to those better equipped to help you with your mental health struggles.
- Following accounts that promote mental health aid on social media – While social media can exacerbate mental health disorders, it contains helpful recourses for those struggling who might not be ready or able to ask for help.
- Finding community support services.
While mental health struggles can often feel isolating, it is important to remember to reach out for help as it can save your life.