World Mental Health Day

As we watch the daily news, scroll the internet and linger over our social media newsfeeds, and talk to family and friends from around the world, it's all too apparent that instability, violence, hate, tears, and constant traumatic events are sadly becoming daily occurrences.

Bullying and discrimination have shown their ugly faces once again, causing the subject of mental health to arise from the depths of a deep, dark alley. In a world where mental illness is on the rise, the subject of mental health still is seemingly taboo. 

We, along with many organizations would like to help change that. Join us on October 10, 2018 as we celebrate and honor World Mental Health Day.

Originally founded by the World Federation for Mental Health, an international membership organization that was founded in 1948 to advance the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, advance the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and advance the promotion of mental health, World Mental Health day is celebrated every year with a different theme.

This year, the theme focuses on young people and mental health in a changing world. While the message is clear for everyone, the World Federation for Mental Health, or WFMH, decided to focus on people in the age range of 14 to 28 years old. They are identified as youth, young people, and young adults.

Not many people realize the constant stressors and challenges that are happening in or around the lives of young people today. All of the issues that our young people face, such as bullying, suicide, the onset of major mental illnesses,  the effects of trauma, and discrimination require our time and attention, awareness and compassion. We also need new programs and guidelines on how we, as a whole, can protect and empower the next generation.

This year, World Mental Health Day will discuss the issues facing young people, and cover a small portion the extensive research, stories, ideas, and programs out there to help future generations be strong and resilient in the face of hardships, grief, turmoil, life changes, discrimination, and destruction.

The Importance of Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World

Did you know that young people who grow up with additional stressors due to the effects of trauma, discrimination, bullying, mental illness, and suicide are more likely to have mental health issues throughout the rest of their lives? Here's a look at some statistics that may surprise you:

• Every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, an adolescent girl dies as a result of violence.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15-29.
• 83% of young people say that bullying has had a negative impact on their self esteem.
• 1 in 5 young people suffer from a mental illness, but that is only 20% of the population. Yet, only 4% of the total health care budget is spent on mental health.
• Among nearly 100 transgender youth, ages 12 to 24, 51% reported that they had suicidal thoughts, while 30% had attempted it at least once in their lives. 

Continue reading below for more surprising facts and statistics of how mental health is impacting our youth today.

Bullying + Mental Health

Bullying is widely one of the most negative aspects of youth and young adulthood today. This is an issue that transcends culture, religion, economic status, and it is a global problem that not only impacts a person's self esteem, but it harms their education, as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.

Sadly, bullying - including cyber bulling - continue to have no boundaries. These acts of hate and hurt can happen anywhere in the world, at any time, and with any ages. The focus of what is seen and read is primarily on youth because kids want so badly to be accepted by their peers, so do teenagers.

Bullying can affect everyone - those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide. By bringing bullying into the light, it gives hope. Hope for the victims of bullying, and hope for those who have been bullied in the past. 

The main takeaway point from bullying and its effects on mental health is that we cannot continue to let those who suffer go through their struggles alone. They need to know that there is always someone by their side to help, nurture, and be with them - no matter what. It can't continue to be dismissed as a harmless, almost inevitable, part of growing up. This mindset needs to change and people need to acknowledge that bullying is a serious problem.

Did you know?

• Childhood bullying damages adult life, indicating long term negative consequences for health, job prospects, and relationships.
• School bullies are more likely to grow up into adult criminals.
• The most negative outcomes are for people who had been both victims and perpetrators of bullying.
• Bully victims are described as: easily provoked, low in self esteem, poor at understanding social cues, and unpopular with peers. 
• Bully victims tend to grow into adults who are six times more likely to have a serious illness, smoke regularly, or develop a psychiatric disorder. 
• By their mid 20s, former bully victims are more likely to be obese, to have left school without qualifications, to have drifted through jobs, and less likely to have friends. 
• Those who had been victims of bullying, without becoming bullies themselves, are more likely to be in poverty. 
• Those who were bullies themselves, are more likely to be fired from jobs, to be in violent relationships, to be involved in risky or illegal offences, and are known to have manipulative and aggressive behavior.

The Effects of Trauma on Young People

In today's world, young people are absorbing all of the terrifying news that occurs on a regular basis. The international news carries frightening stories about violence and trauma, and those stories only seem to be increasing every day. Children and teenagers are witnessing violence and disasters around them, which can leave lasting impressions. 

A traumatic event can be anything from domestic abuse, neglect, floods, earthquakes, gun violence, war, physical assaults, death and accidents. While some trauma is unpredictable and unavoidable, young people who do not have support systems, the impacts can last for months, years, or a lifetime.

Did you know that children from all walks of life endure violence, and millions more are at risk every single day?

Violence against children takes many forms, including: physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and may involve neglect or deprivation. Violence occurs in many settings, including the home, school, internet, and community. Sadly, a wide range of perpetrators commit violence against children, such as family members, intimate partners, teachers, neighbors, strangers, and other children. Such violence not only inflicts harm, pain and humiliation, it also kills.

• The protection of children from all forms of violence is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights treaties and standards.
• Children who have been severely abused or neglected are often hampered in their development, experience learning difficulties, and perform poorly in school.
• Children may have low self esteem and suffer from depression, which can lead to risk behavior and self harm.
• Children who witness violence can cause similar distress. Children who grow up in a violent household or community tend to internalize that behavior as a way of resolving disputes.
• They often repeat that pattern of violence and abuse against their own children and spouses.
• 18 million children are being raised in the chaos of war.
• In the past 10 years, as a result of armed conflict, over 2 million children have been killed, 6 million have been disabled, 20 million are homeless, and more than 1 million have become separated from their caregivers.
• Children between the ages of 12-18, having had more years exposed to violent conflict, struggle to recover from years of compounding traumas, often revealing pervasive feelings of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, grief, resentment, anger and fear.

Helping Youth Following Mass Violence

Mass violence is shocking and disturbing to youth on many levels. It disrupts the way that they see the world, makes them feel out of control, unsafe, and that the world has lost its meaning. They can begin to worry that dangerous things can happen to them or those they love. So, how can the community come together to help limit the emotional effects of violence on youth?

• Monitor the amount of TV watching
• Ask you children what they have heard or what other kids are saying
• Find out what concerns your child has and take them seriously
• Tackle the tough questions, such as the why's and how's
• Keep the routine
• Spend more time together as a family
• Allow more time for extra comforting
• Process your own feelings
• Monitor your child's behavior and seek help if necessary

These are just some of the ways that we can help our young people cope with the additional stress of mass violence occurring in our world.

Major Mental Illness and Young People

Everyone knows how wonderful and overwhelming it is to be a teenager or young adult, but is can also be incredibly stressful to adapt to the seemingly endless changes that are happening all around you, and within you. Can you imagine adding in a mental illness on top of those stressors?

Researchers have determined that at least half of all mental health disorders appear by 14 years old, and about 75% by age 24. Serious mental illness incurs huge personal, social, and economic costs, therefore, early detection and intervention can help reduce the toll of these mental illnesses.

Often, we see teenagers and young adults struggle with the effects of mental health issues, and many of these are conditions that need prompt attention. Some of the more serious illnesses that young people have to abruptly deal with are: depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Guide to Depression in Teens & Young Adults

Depression is much more than feeling temporarily sad. It's a serious and debilitating mood disorder that can change the way you think, feel, and function in your daily life. When you're depressed, you may feel hopeless, helpless, and it can seem like no one understands. However, depression is far more common in teens and young adults than one may think.

You are not alone and your depression is not a hopeless case. Even though it can feel like depression will never lift, it will. And, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself start to regain your balance and feel more positive, energetic, and hopeful again.

Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Teens and Young Adults

• Sadness or hopelessness
• Irritability, anger, or hostility
• Tearfulness or frequent crying
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Loss of interest in activities
• Poor school performance, poor work performance
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Restlessness and agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Thoughts of death or suicide