1. Home
  2. Articles

YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH

In the previous article, we touched upon various problems faced by young people as we explored the area of 'Young people and Mental Health in the changing world'.

In this article, we will discuss a few tips that can help to cope with the various challenges of daily life.

As mental illnesses are on the rise in youth today, there is a strong need for helping youth develop and grow their mental resilience from their childhood itself so that they can have high self-esteem and self-confidence, be able to identify and become aware and be able to cope with the challenges of the changing times as they grow up. Taking the right measures to deal with the changing world today can empower the youth to be aware, resilient and stress free and thus be more productive. It is important to educate the youth about mental illnesses and how to manage and recover from them if need be. Mental resilience and determination help to cope adapt with the challenges they face in life and not go into mental distress or into mental illnesses when they reach their adolescence or become young adults. Resilient kids are problem solvers. They face difficult situations and strive to find good solutions.

Some strategies for Children and Adolescents to cope with difficult situations are:

  • Teach them problem solving skills.
  • Parents do not need to fulfil their every need and do not provide all the answers. This can help them learn to find a solution.
  • Let your kids make mistakes as that can be a way for them to learn.
  • Help them manage their emotions.
  • Help them understand that it is okay to ask or help.
  • Increase their exposure to people who care about them.
  • Establishing routines.
  • Give them opportunities to think and act independently.
  • Create situations for them to make their own decisions.
  • Practice mindfulness. Live in the present moment.
  • Be optimistic.
  • Learn how to reframe problems so that they seem less threatening.
  • Help kids to face the fear but without taking away support.
  • Model resiliency.
  • Encourage them to be creative.
  • Encourage them to talk.

Some strategies for Young Adults to cope with difficult situations are:

  • Think positive.
  • Practice mindfulness.
  • Find a sense of purpose in life.
  • Try to build a strong social circle. Make connections with more people.
  • Develop your problem solving skills.
  • Change your perspective towards a difficult situation. Do not see problems as unsolvable.
  • Accept change. It is a part of life.
  • Establish goal and work towards achieving them.
  • Work on decision making skills and try to take active decisions.
  • Look for opportunities to self discovery.
  • Have a positive view of yourself. Have a good self esteem and self confidence.
  • Believe that you have work through the difficult situation.
  • Take care of yourself. Nurture yourself.
  • Take actions to solve problems.
  • Continue to develop new skills.
  • Be optimistic.
  • Understand that it's okay to share your problems with others.
  • Don't be too hard on yourself.
  • Have realistic expectations.
  • Exercise.
  • Meditate/Relax.
  • Maintain a thought log.
  • Take control of the situation and yourself.
  • Express yourself.
  • Take time off from thinking.
  • Face your fears. Don't escape!

It is important to understand the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness and to take help and expert guidance at the earliest. As it is rightly said that prevention is better than cure especially with concern to mental and physical well-being, learning coping strategies can help in preventing daily stressors.

The future is in the youth today. Promoting good adolescent health (both physical and mental) builds a strong society and is the need of the hour. Happy individuals have a positive effect on their families, work, social relations and their environment.

It's Time To Adapt And Change For The Positive

Recent Articles