Mental WellBeing

Mental Health and Youth: "Recognise Wellbeing"

The human brain is a wonder. Through folds of tissue and pulses of electricity, it lets us perceive, attempt to understand, and shape the world around us. As science rapidly charts the brain’s complex structures, new discoveries are revealing the biology of how the mind functions and fails. Given the centrality of the brain to human health, its malfunctions should be a priority, separated from stigma and treated on par with the diseases of the body. We aren’t there yet, but the transformation is underway.

At least one in five youth aged 9–17 years currently has a diagnosable mental health disorder that causes some degree of impairment; one in 10 has a disorder that causes significant impairment. The most common mental illnesses in adolescents are anxiety, mood, attention, and behavior disorders.

It can be hard to tell the difference between normal changes as a child grows, and the symptoms of mental illness. Some of these can be:

• Sudden changes in their behaviour(e.g., an active child becomes quiet and withdrawn or a good student suddenly starts getting poor grades);

• Suddenly changed their feelings (e.g., a child may show signs of feeling unhappy, worried, guilty, angry, fearful, hopeless or rejected);

• Avoiding places or situations that others don’t routinely avoid;

• Physical problems like frequent headaches or stomach aches, problems eating or sleeping, or a general lack of energy;

• In general keeping to themselves and turning unusually quiet;

• Use (or is using more) alcohol or other drugs, especially when alone;

• Shown signs that they’re having trouble coping with regular activities and everyday problem;

• Shown little regard for the feelings or property of others;

• Expressed terror or disgust over their weight, or changed how they eat, in unhealthy way;

• Making odd or repetitive movements beyond regular playing;

• Deliberately hurt themselves or talking of suicide or having suicidal thoughts.

If a person specially a youngster is showing one or more of these changes, and it’s impacting their daily life, the best thing to do is talk to them about how they’re feeling and then talk to your family doctor to rule out other explanations. Then, it’s important to connect to other supports in the school and community. Keep in mind that all talk of suicide must be taken seriously.

Unfortunately, only a few of those who need mental health treatment can get it. There are many reasons for this. Parents and caregivers can have mixed feelings about getting their children help for their mental illness. They may worry about being blamed for their child’s change in behaviour, or they worry about what treatments may be tried. Mental illnesses can be frightening, and many people worry what others will think if they talk about their experiences. The good news is that mental illnesses can be treated successfully, and early treatment can help reduce the impact of a mental illness on your child’s life. The kind of treatment that works best for your child will depend on your child’s needs. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the different options.

• Counseling:

Cognitive-behavioural therapy—Helps young people recognize and change thinking patterns and behaviours that are not good for their mental health.

Family therapy—Can help you look at what you can do as a family to help your child through their mental illness, and manage behaviours.

Interpersonal therapy—Helps young people to feel more comfortable interacting with others.

Educational interventions—Can help your child by teaching them ways to manage the time in the classroom.

• Medication:

There many different types of medications that are being prescribed to kids including medications for mood, for anxiety, for psychosis, and for ADHD. If you aren’t comfortable with your child taking medications, then express your concerns to your doctor. They can explain which medications, if any, would be right for your child and go over the benefits and risks of medications with you. For young people, medications are usually not the first type of treatment considered. If they’re suggested, they are usually meant to work in connection with other treatments or supports.

• Support groups:

For teens, groups of others who’ve gone through or are going through what you’re going through (sometimes called peer support groups). Groups for family members of someone with a mental illness, including children, to meet other families in similar situations

But the most basic and essential need is to not just recognize but acknowledge help is needed, for there is nothing wrong in having something not entirely perfect. That’s what makes us human, a perfectly normal human with his/her own speck of personality and struggle.

Stay healthy, Stay Happy! Recognize and support Wellbeing People.

*Writer: Kratika Joshi, Student, AUR

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