The first step in creating a space for positive mental health is understanding, but what must we do afterwards?
More specifically, how do we actively support the population of mentally ill individuals that is growing larger by the day?
There are many challenges as adults that lie in the way of supporting young people in coping with the problems they face.
As we all know, the world is advancing quickly, and the lives we’ve lived in our adolescence are vastly different from the experience of young people in this technological culture.
The physical and intimate connections that we once had have now become online and public.
Additionally, where we once lived within a closed social environment, a new digital layer of reality has replaced it and significantly altered how we interact with others.
As adults, there are times we may feel out of our depth when attempting to support those we care about.
However, it is vital not to lose hope, as there are many options available for creating lasting change!
Effectively, a whole different approach is required in order to account for the challenges of the present. With determination and an informed awareness at our backs, here are three tips you can use to support young people going through mental health struggles.
1- Learning By Doing
Lying down, tired, and hunched over in front of a screen - This is the reality that many of us live in today, and young people are no exception to these circumstances.
It is no surprise that mental health issues are on the rise when this has become the default state for many victims suffering from mental difficulties.
Already, a fundamental premise of positive well-being has yet to be fulfilled - The need for action, or activity.
To be happy, we must get out of a sedentary lifestyle and begin doing. Whether through some exercise, going on a walk, or taking part in an activity, many young people today are so immersed in the digital world that they cannot do what is necessary to cultivate a positive mental state.
It is essential that the mind does not stagnate through the lack of action and the consumption of content that produces short-lived reward.
On the contrary, it must seek meaning through the act of producing art, moving, or simply being part of nature. Ultimately, anything that places one’s focus outside of a digital matrix and into a physical alternative will achieve this.
Next time you have the chance, take your child for a walk or visit a new part of town that neither of you has seen before.
Even better, take part in an activity, play some sports together and find any other way where both of you can immerse yourselves mentally and forget about any distractions that bring you down.
2- Communication Is Key - Forget The Blame Game
“Back in my day, we didn’t have any phones to play with.”
It is easy as adults to approach the circumstances of young people with a lack of awareness and use comparisons to our past to fill in the gaps.
But think about it this way - How would you have grown up if you were surrounded by the pressures, distractions, and technologies that are present in young people’s lives today?
Although there may be some exceptions, it is safe to say that most of our outcomes would be the same as they are now.
Effectively, the key here is to stop blaming and begin communicating from the point of compassion.
Remember that it is not you versus your child, but you and your child versus the problem.
Ultimately, you want to create an environment where your child does not need to confront their problems in isolation, but instead with you by their side.
The presence and compassion you create through communication will be the simplest yet most profound method for supporting your child in their mental health struggles.
3- The Power Of Community
They say that to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, you must do this together, with a group of like-minded individuals.
The digital world offers us endless online connections, but somehow it has left many young people isolated from their families and peers.
According to research, loneliness and isolation are the leading causes of mental health problems in the world today.
This is no different for young people. Due to the ever-increasing presence of social media, it has become more and more difficult to form bonds in the physical world - Bonds that are crucial for fostering happiness and well-being in life.
This is where the community comes in.
Being part of a community or tribe is a crucial element of happiness, which must be reintroduced to young people.
A community holds you accountable, pushes you forward, and acts as a mirror to reflect your own thoughts and ideas.
More importantly, In times of difficulty, a community is a supporting pillar for your problems.
The Bottom Line
It takes much more than these three tips to solve the teenage mental health problem. However, by doing this, we have already created a solid foundation for implementing effective and long-lasting strategies moving forward.
At Lions Campus, we have recognised the need to develop a unique approach to supporting young people through their mental health struggles.
While integrating these three tips alongside many more, we aim to create a supportive environment that young people can use to recover and learn how to thrive as flourishing members of society.
To learn more about how we achieve this, please visit https://www.lions-campus.co.uk/ to learn more and download our brochure.
