Unfortunately, many young people are struggling with mental health problems and do not receive the support they need. Everyone has a role to play in promoting youth mental health and creating an environment where youth can thrive. While the topic may be a taboo, it is important for everyone to have an understanding of mental health and its importance to young people. Below are some tips to support youth in achieving positive mental health. Let us begin by understanding the causes and effects of mental illness.
First, recognize when a youth is having problems. If your young person is struggling, try to get help as soon as possible. It is important to make sure they are eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of physical activity. You can also try to limit their intake of alcohol and caffeine. Youth may also benefit from learning how to practice relaxation techniques and reframing negative thoughts. It is also helpful to make sure they have a strong support system and find things that make them happy.
Youth health mental programs and policies need to be adapted to address specific target groups. This may be difficult because of the range of systemic barriers affecting the health of young people. The geographical scale of the country also creates additional challenges. To overcome these challenges, the most effective approach is to implement youth-centered mental health policies and programs at the local level. There are a wide variety of existing community outreach platforms that may be used. For example, the Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Committees of the Nation Health Mission; Parent-Teacher-Association meetings at schools; and NSS and NYKS (Department of Youth Affairs) may be used to distribute knowledge to young people.
Unfortunately, depression is on the rise in younger Americans. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA), 13.3 percent of youth aged 12-17 experienced a major depressive episode. A similar percentage of young adults aged 18-25 reported major depression. Even though these figures are alarming, it is important for parents to remember that some of the behaviors exhibited by youth are part of normal development and should not be treated.
Peer-to-peer support programs can help youth deal with issues related to mental health. In the New York City community, Let’s Talk NYC is a training program for high school staff that equips them with the skills needed to talk with youth about their emotional well-being and connects them with resources. Another program called Pathways to Wellbeing introduces arts-based activities to foster social and emotional growth in youth. It also provides an opportunity for youth to learn from each other’s experiences and to develop relationships with each other.
To help combat mental health problems among youth, increased funding is essential. In addition to funding, there is a need to promote prevention efforts. The funding should be increased for the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Minority Health, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to support and expand research on risk factors and prevention.
The implementation of telehealth in Ontario was a successful transition for youth mental health services. The service was used by clients across the province. While some agencies were hesitant to transition to a virtual service, most followed similar strategies to make the transition as smooth as possible. Staff training and engagement were crucial to the transition. While there were some concerns, the overall experience for youth and families was positive. Most youth and families found the new virtual service beneficial, and many agencies plan to offer it again in the future.
Youth mental health is a critical issue for the nation. The Biden-Harris Administration is taking steps to increase mental health services for young people and ensure that they are integrated into schools. The Department of Education released a new resource for schools that outlines key challenges and evidence-based recommendations. The publication highlights the importance of a strong relationship between parents and teachers and the availability of mental health services.
There are many ways in which digital technology can be used to help young people manage their mental health. For example, it can be used to develop e-learning platforms for mental health workers and non-mental health professionals.