Breaking the Silence: Mental Health and the Future
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Mental health is a social stigma. A topic that is not supposed to be a part of lunch-table conversations according to many. Several consider the people who talk about or suffer from mental health as weak, simply advising them to be stronger. While I completely agree with the notion of being stronger, as I know that is the only way to success, I also strongly believe in the mental well-being of a person. Mental health is just as important as physical health, research also goes as far as to state that there is a very strong correlation between the two. [More on that later] It is something that needs to be taken seriously, especially in youth as mental health disorders can have a significant impact on a young person's life -both physically and emotionally- as well as on their family, and the people around them.
While reading this, I want you, my older readers to recall your teenage years (or if you are my age, what your parents tell you about while mocking you for being holed up in your room 24/7, we’ve all been there). Normal days back then consisted of being in school, stealing fruits from trees, playing out with your friends all day, reading a few comics like Champak/Tinkle, eating healthy organic food, and most importantly, having a decent sleep schedule. Now I am not saying that this is impossible or unimaginable in current times. But in stark contrast, today’s teenagers spend their days running between school and classes, and the rest of the time either doing something more so they stay competitively ahead of the rest or something to impress their peers. With each passing day, friend circles are growing smaller, social credits are running out, and we see more and more people doing their own thing. Even when with friends, we now tend to do what will impress others, or is perfect according to certain arbitrary standards. Under the pressure of living up to these “standards”, mental health is worsening, while depression and anxiety are increasing. Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. One in four teenagers is suffering from clinical depression, and one in five teens is suffering from clinical anxiety. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
1 in 4 teenagers is suffering from clinical depression, 1 in 5 from clinical anxiety.
If you still think that these conversations are insignificant, I want to remind you that today’s teenagers are tomorrow’s adults. If not paid attention to, these mental health disorders which start off small, have a massive, compounding result. It is a natural trait for us to preserve and protect the future for our future generations. So it is imperative that we start understanding more about this and take urgent action. Symptoms start to appear in the teenage years, but they pave the path for adult mental health. Whether the path is a healthy one or not, it is in our hands as it can be addressed during the teenage years itself.
Some of the most common mental health disorders in today’s youth include:
Depression: It is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to changes in sleep, appetite, energy levels, concentration, and self-esteem.
Anxiety: Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. It can be mild or severe, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, trauma, or genetics. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear that is out of proportion to the actual threat. It can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, and shortness of breath.
Eating disorders: These are serious mental health conditions that involve abnormal eating behaviors. Some of the most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia Nervosa - obsession about body weight, leading to starvation or too much exercise; mainly due to a distorted ‘ideal’ body image. Bulimia Nervosa - If you have bulimia, you're probably preoccupied with your weight and body shape. It is a life-threatening disorder. People suffering from this binge on food, but then use unnatural ways (purging) to avoid weight gain, such as inducing vomiting, or misusing laxatives, supplements, or enemas.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control. It can cause difficulty in school, work, and relationships. It can make it difficult for young people to pay attention in school, follow instructions, and control their behavior.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): It is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the event, and intense anxiety.
Mental health disorders can have a lasting impact on the physical health of youth. For example, depression has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and chronic pain. Anxiety can lead to headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, and sleep problems. Eating disorders can cause malnutrition, fatigue, and irregular menstrual cycles. ADHD can lead to accidents, injuries, and problems in school and at work. PTSD can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. I, for one, got chronic TMJ during my 12th grade, which is still persisting.
As the mental health of youth deteriorates, adverse impacts start to arise. The physical health of the person starts to take a heavy toll, and academics or work take a hit as they find it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. Humans are social animals, but as they fall deeper into the pit of mental health disorders, they lose confidence in themselves and start finding it increasingly difficult to even talk to new people, rather than making new connections. Serious effects arise as some may even start abusing substances, harming themselves, and even going to the extent of suicide.
Researchers and clinical psychologists have pointed out many reasons for this increasing threat to our society, such as:
Increased awareness: A boon and a curse, we have such tremendous exposure that we are spoilt for choice. We are privileged enough to be able to take informed decisions about every choice we want to take, but, this increased awareness and exposure has also resulted in increasing confusion among students over various life choices. What career do we want to pursue? What college do we want to go to? What is a dream large enough to match our talent and ambitions? As “with great power comes great responsibility” [Spiderman will always be fresh], with countless opportunities comes countless confusion. The increased awareness of the rising overwhelming global challenges has also left many demoralized as they see a bleak future.
Internet & social media: One of the biggest factors, as studies have shown that young people who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Comparison is everywhere, and more so on the internet. Ranging from people on LinkedIn showcasing their academic and corporate successes to people on Instagram showing their lifestyle. Does that mean the internet is just the wrong place and we should stay away from it? No. It is a huge boon, and we have all advanced by leaps and bounds because of it. Rather than feeling insecure or inadequate, we need to train ourselves to be mindful of our feelings. Taking inspiration and motivation from others’ successes, being content with oneself, and being honestly happy for others are all extremely important virtues in the world of social media. While this might be easy to say so, I agree that it is very challenging to practice in person, as discontentment is human nature. But always evolving is also human nature.
Change of lifestyle: The change of pace with which we lead our lives now has had a massively detrimental effect on our mental well-being. We need to remember that sometimes, we should slow down, look around us and appreciate it. A weekend away from screens out in nature, or even a long drive can be a highly gratifying change from our daily lives. COVID-19 too, acted like a catalyst in increasing the rising mental health challenges.
Understanding the symptoms early, and catching these disorders pays off immensely as it is much easier to address them while in the early stages. We need to prepare future generations (including ourselves) for stress. Stress is one of the things we have to deal with for our entire lives, but we need to make sure that we do not keep breaking down due to it. Setbacks are common and necessary, but that does not mean that quitting is a valid option. It is time to stay optimistic. Increasing education about mental health is of significant importance, as it can help to address this problem effectively. Promoting and developing emotional intelligence is also of utmost priority so that we are better prepared for the future, stronger, and happier.
In the end, I want to say that if you are concerned about the mental health of a young person, or anyone in general, there are steps you can take to help. Talk to the person, be supportive, and encourage them to seek professional help if they need it. Fortunately, there are many great resources available that can help, and there is no reason that you should not use them if you feel that they would help.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. If you are struggling with your mental health, there are people who care about you and want to help. There is no shame in seeking help, and it can make a world of difference in your life.
The World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
The National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): https://www.acog.org/
The Child Mind Institute: https://www.childmind.org/
[Also available on my medium profile: @architmodi513; link to blog]
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