Mental health as a concept is relatively new, however, as a component of health has always been present and has always been of significance. The World Health Organization describes ‘Health’ as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. According to statistics given by WHO, approximately 1 in every 8 people, globally, were living with a mental disorder (as of 2019). Furthermore, one in
seven 10-19-year-olds reportedly experience a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group.
A major root of such high rates of mental health issues in adolescents can be accounted to negligence they often face when they want to talk about their issues. Society often shuns those who express what they’re facing, calling it the 'influence of social media' or that 'it's all in your mind.' This, more often than not, results in adolescents bottling up everything and thus increasing their mental baggage, as well as carrying this habit well into adulthood.
People, especially parents, need to realise that when a child wants to talk about their struggles it is essential to hear them out and to acknowledge that the cages which seem to bar one’s full health, are in fact not just made up. At the present day, with people leading lives progressively growing busier, things as simple as sitting with one’s families and plainly talking is usually not given as much priority as it should be. Studies have shown instances like this, often give rise to loneliness as well as feelings of being neglected to rise up in children, adding to their mental burden.
Finding enough time for a proper sit-down-heart-to-heart may be difficult, but, if children are
shown that they and their mental health is cared for - it is bound to reap sweet results for them in the long run. If parents were to question their children from a young age about how they’re doing or how they’re coping with something, it may make it easier for that child to open up more about their mental difficulties. This in turn would help ensure the weight of the mental baggage one carries does not reach a point where it becomes too heavy to carry.
Maintaining a healthy routine of mental clearance does not necessarily mean one may not face any difficulties, after all there is no 100% guarantee of anything. However, that makes it just a little bit easier to bear. We just have to keep in mind that,
“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. Instead, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
The human mind is a beautiful place, one which needs proper care and nurture.
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