Mental health and well-being

[Teg]

According to The Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development, nowadays, young people are experiencing a growing mental health crisis, exacerbated by factors such as social media and academic pressure. How do you think this issue can be addressed by young individuals and those around them? 

What strategies can schools, communities, and families employ to promote better mental well-being in young people?

[MFRodrispi]

It’s really concerning how young folks today are dealing with this growing mental health crisis. We see it all around us, and it’s influenced by various factors, like the pressure to excel academically and the constant presence of social media.
So, what can we do about it? Well, it’s a joint effort involving young individuals and those in their lives.
For young people themselves, it starts with self-awareness and self-care. Knowing when you’re feeling overwhelmed and learning how to manage stress is crucial. And it’s okay to ask for help, whether from a professional, a friend, or a family member.
Speaking of social media, managing screen time is vital. It’s easy to get sucked into the digital world, which can affect our mental well-being. So, consciously limiting exposure to negativity online and making time for face-to-face social connections can be really helpful.
Now, when it comes to schools, they have a big role to play. They can incorporate mental health education into the curriculum, teaching students about emotional well-being, stress management, and how to reach out for support when needed. Offering counseling services within schools can be a lifeline for many students.
In communities, creating safe spaces is key. Support groups for young people can be a real source of comfort. And raising awareness about mental health through community events and campaigns can help reduce the stigma around it.
Families are crucial in all of this too. Open communication is vital. Parents can create an environment where kids feel safe talking about their feelings and concerns. It’s also important for parents to set realistic expectations and emphasize personal growth over perfection. And, let’s not forget, parents can lead by example by practicing self-care and showing that it’s okay to ask for help.
In the end, it’s all about a collective effort. We need young people to prioritize their mental well-being, schools to provide education and support, communities to raise awareness and offer resources, and families to create nurturing environments. Together, we can tackle this mental health crisis and help our young generation thrive.

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by MFRodrispi.

[anilguzelmansur]

The mental health crises affecting young people today are complex, exacerbated by societal pressures and the digital age. Stigma often hinders open discussions and seeking help. Overcoming these crises requires a comprehensive approach—destigmatization, accessible resources, and proactive mental health education. Breaking down barriers, fostering supportive environments, and promoting awareness are crucial steps to empower young individuals to navigate and overcome mental health challenges for a healthier future.

[Alicia08]

What needs to be adressed more is the importance of therapy and how it can help a person become better. In our society going to therapy should be encouraged more than ever because we live in a world where we are easily distracted about other factors like social media. We are bombarded on a daily basis with information from the news and other sources this is why it is very important for a person to recognise when they need help and they should be able to feel understood when they seek it.
Furthermore, one of the most important parts of becoming self-aware and have a better mood is understanding your emotions and managing them efficiently, making sure that every single feeling of guilt, stress and worry is let out by one activity or another. From my experience, talking about an experience someone is worried about helps a lot (talking to a friend/someone close or journaling) or playing a sport can have a very big impact on someone’s level of energy and well-being. Moreover, taking up a hobby (cooking, painting, going on walks etc) can make someone relax and feel better. It is very important for that person to find interests that can help them detach from their problems because that hobby can become a distraction, an activity that stimulates them and that takes away from their worries.
It is crucial that mental health is taken seriously in this day and age because a lot of individuals are struggling. Having a support system can help a person find a place where they belong and that can varry from groups of friends to family to any sort of group that can help a person feel part of a community ( joining a club, volunteering etc). Most of the feelings of loneliness come from a place of feeling misunderstood and not finding a community with shared interests. Hopefully, we can start helping out our community by being kind and understanding the people that are struggling, provide a support system for them.

[Briana Prepelita]

For the longest time mental health has been a taboo subject, typically avoided by most people. It is only now that we have started addressing it more and for that reason it is crucial to help inform each other of the importance of taking care of your mental health as well as gain a deeper understanding of the effects bad mental health can have on other people so we may be more considerate, more understanding and more empathetic towards those who are struggling.
However, from my point of view, although understanding one another plays a key role in helping avert a mental health crisis, it is not enough long-term. What we as a society should be focusing on when it comes to mental health is not only gaining more knowledge on the subject, but also learning how to improve our personal mental health as well as how to help the ones who are struggling with their own, all while understanding it is not our responsibility to guarantee somebody’s well-being but also consistently choosing to support one another without neglecting ourselves. Moreover, it goes without saying that this will not be an easy task, anyhow I truly believe it is worth every bit of effort put into it, as learning more about mental health and how to support ourselves and anyone who might be going through a tough time will not only help us improve as a society but also consolidate the relationships we have already built.
This can be done by helping people gain more knowledge on the subject and encouraging them to be more open with one another so that they may get the support they need without ever having to worry about the fact that it is something not often discussed and therefore they should not mention it which would altogether stop them from getting the help that they need, be it professional or from those around them. It is important to note that knowledge should be accessible to any age group so that there may be a wide-spread aversion to the current mental health crisis. Practically speaking, it is important that schools implement additional age-adapted courses that help students gain a better understanding of the term “mental health” as well as how to properly take care of it. While I believe everyone should partake in it as it would help shed light on a subject that has been set aside for so long it might be better to make the courses optional at first so that not only children but parents too get the chance to adapt to this necessary change. What would also help parents get more used to openly discussing mental health would be additional courses, either held in person or as webinars, that would help them get a deeper understanding of the topic as well as the importance of discussing it with those around them. I believe those necessary implementations will also have a positive effect on families, as the members would get more used to sharing the struggles that they go through as well as be able to help one another and maybe even suggest they get professional help timely so that they may take care of their mental health and not neglect it as we have seen it being done before.
The reason it is so important to look out for the mental well-being of ourselves and others is because nowadays more and more people struggle on their own without being able to help themselves or reach out because it is still not something commonly discussed and therefore it is considered odd to mention and people typically are not sure of how to react or help somebody in case they open up to them. Altogether it is crucial that we help spread more information regarding mental health as well as proper ways to improve it as it is clear that with time this will be a more openly discusses topic and people would be able to get the help that they need.

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