Young minds in desperate times
Ellie Pascall explores the current crisis in young people's mental health and urges anyone who needs support to seek it sooner rather than later
Does it ever feel like the world is caving in from all directions? Or as if you’re fighting problems and overwhelming feelings from all angles?
You aren’t alone. Many young people in our society are also in the same situation, feeling helpless against the increasing challenges of mental health in today’s society. One in seven 10–19-year-olds experience mental health disorders – an incredibly worrying statistic. This means that one in seven of the youth of our society are often exposed to difficulties in a variety of settings - including within their own families at home, at school and in the community. This is a huge amount of people who are suffering, and without the help and acknowledgement of the general public, these figures are bound to get worse.
Within the home (in most cases) the young people who are struggling with their mental health pose a challenge to their parents and siblings, who may not know the most effective way to deal with the situation at hand. Consequently, it is often the case that they are singled out and blamed for the disruption of the family’s day to day life, causing more upset to the individual who is in need of help. Families are being torn apart and relationships are becoming strained because parents and caregivers don’t know how to properly deal with and care for a child with increased mental health struggles.
There is a lack of resources for the carers of children with mental health illnesses, and this cycle of difficulties can lead to a feeling of isolation for the child and a further negative spiral of mental health. School life can create challenges for any child without considering the further difficulties of mental health getting in the way of their success. Children need time to adjust to their change of hormones as they develop into adulthood, without the added stress and worry about the judgement around their condition or whether they will have a successful day at school. It is very important to recognise that behaviours, emotions and thoughts relating to young people’s mental health conditions do interfere with their ability to do well because they are more likely to be unhappy at school, be absent, or act out in ways which can lead to some being suspended or even expelled - which disrupts their learning.
Students suffering from poor mental health may also experience poor concentration, distractibility, inability to retain information, poor peer relationships, and in some cases, aggressive behaviour. Added to this, they may be withdrawn and find it difficult to engage with what is being taught - both of these reasons result in added pressure and stress trying to catch up with anything that they have missed. In a worst case scenario, this could lead to a young person dropping out of school, and ending up with a low-paid or unsatisfactory job in the future.
There are many ways in which change can be created, to positively impact the lives of people who are subject to this vicious cycle of helplessness. Referral to a school-based mental health centre or to counselling can help to reduce absence rates by 50 per cent and lateness rates by 25 per cent. This shows how important it is to seek advice and help and to reach out to the correct people. The correct resources and advice could dramatically impact an individual's motivation to do well with their education and therefore improve their quality of life in the future.
The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impacting both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits and is important for the person’s overall mental well-being. Untreated mental health conditions can go on to impact the child’s future lifestyle, affecting many aspects of their lives negatively, which is why it is crucial that we act sooner rather than later.
‘What help is there?’ you may be thinking. If you know of someone who is struggling with mental health, or you are struggling yourself, the best advice to follow is to speak to a trusted friend, parent or other responsible adult to ask for help and support. You could also go and see your local GP to see how they can help you or get in touch with the proper services and organisations that are there to help young people with mental health: Anxiety UK, CALM, Ditch The Label, Mind and Young Minds are all very helpful.
Do not be embarrassed to address your needs when you see that you are struggling. You are – just like everyone else – worthy of receiving the help you need to maintain a healthy mindset and look after your mental health. It is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult and brave thing to do to find the courage to ask for help, but just taking that first step and recognising that you need support is something your future self will be eternally grateful for. There are people with outstretched hands who want to help – if you are willing to grab onto one.
You are cared about, and you most certainly are not alone.
Ellie Pascall, 12SAV
Website references: Youth.gov , Who.int , mentalhealth.org
Does it ever feel like the world is caving in from all directions? Or as if you’re fighting problems and overwhelming feelings from all angles?
You aren’t alone. Many young people in our society are also in the same situation, feeling helpless against the increasing challenges of mental health in today’s society. One in seven 10–19-year-olds experience mental health disorders – an incredibly worrying statistic. This means that one in seven of the youth of our society are often exposed to difficulties in a variety of settings - including within their own families at home, at school and in the community. This is a huge amount of people who are suffering, and without the help and acknowledgement of the general public, these figures are bound to get worse.
Within the home (in most cases) the young people who are struggling with their mental health pose a challenge to their parents and siblings, who may not know the most effective way to deal with the situation at hand. Consequently, it is often the case that they are singled out and blamed for the disruption of the family’s day to day life, causing more upset to the individual who is in need of help. Families are being torn apart and relationships are becoming strained because parents and caregivers don’t know how to properly deal with and care for a child with increased mental health struggles.
There is a lack of resources for the carers of children with mental health illnesses, and this cycle of difficulties can lead to a feeling of isolation for the child and a further negative spiral of mental health. School life can create challenges for any child without considering the further difficulties of mental health getting in the way of their success. Children need time to adjust to their change of hormones as they develop into adulthood, without the added stress and worry about the judgement around their condition or whether they will have a successful day at school. It is very important to recognise that behaviours, emotions and thoughts relating to young people’s mental health conditions do interfere with their ability to do well because they are more likely to be unhappy at school, be absent, or act out in ways which can lead to some being suspended or even expelled - which disrupts their learning.
Students suffering from poor mental health may also experience poor concentration, distractibility, inability to retain information, poor peer relationships, and in some cases, aggressive behaviour. Added to this, they may be withdrawn and find it difficult to engage with what is being taught - both of these reasons result in added pressure and stress trying to catch up with anything that they have missed. In a worst case scenario, this could lead to a young person dropping out of school, and ending up with a low-paid or unsatisfactory job in the future.
There are many ways in which change can be created, to positively impact the lives of people who are subject to this vicious cycle of helplessness. Referral to a school-based mental health centre or to counselling can help to reduce absence rates by 50 per cent and lateness rates by 25 per cent. This shows how important it is to seek advice and help and to reach out to the correct people. The correct resources and advice could dramatically impact an individual's motivation to do well with their education and therefore improve their quality of life in the future.
The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impacting both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits and is important for the person’s overall mental well-being. Untreated mental health conditions can go on to impact the child’s future lifestyle, affecting many aspects of their lives negatively, which is why it is crucial that we act sooner rather than later.
‘What help is there?’ you may be thinking. If you know of someone who is struggling with mental health, or you are struggling yourself, the best advice to follow is to speak to a trusted friend, parent or other responsible adult to ask for help and support. You could also go and see your local GP to see how they can help you or get in touch with the proper services and organisations that are there to help young people with mental health: Anxiety UK, CALM, Ditch The Label, Mind and Young Minds are all very helpful.
Do not be embarrassed to address your needs when you see that you are struggling. You are – just like everyone else – worthy of receiving the help you need to maintain a healthy mindset and look after your mental health. It is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult and brave thing to do to find the courage to ask for help, but just taking that first step and recognising that you need support is something your future self will be eternally grateful for. There are people with outstretched hands who want to help – if you are willing to grab onto one.
You are cared about, and you most certainly are not alone.
Ellie Pascall, 12SAV
Website references: Youth.gov , Who.int , mentalhealth.org