The Rise of Mental Health Issues in Young People

Mental health issues in young people have always been a concerning topic. Through adolescence, a significant change occurs, which can trigger many early-onset problems. This far, stress, comparison, societal pressures, and stereotypes have caused such concerns. Yet as of 2020, Covid-19 has been and is continuing to be a key contributor to the rise in mental health issues.

In 2017, 1 in 9 young people were affected by poor mental health. Research highlights how this has escalated to 1 in 6, with a focus on the pandemic and the change that it carried.

Day to day life, as a teenager or young person can trigger mental health vulnerabilities. The smallest change, stress or incident will impact a younger person, as they develop psychologically, over an adult. Now that those day-to-day impacts have changed, vulnerabilities have also adapted, inducing the rise.

The rise of mental health issues in young people is set to continue unless support is increased and strengthened. Here are the recent causes for this rise, along with how you can support the younger generation.

We at Addiction Advocates are here to offer support through mental health worries. Reach out if you’re concerned for yourself or those around you.

 

Causes of Mental Health Issues

There are some common causes of mental health issues in the younger generation. Similarly, to adult diagnoses, environments, childhood trauma, relationships and genetics can trigger poor mental health. Further factors include stress, a change in hormones, social media usage and the difficulties of finding oneself.

Stress is one of the most impactful feelings which can reduce mental health. Through adolescence, stress is a common feeling, whether that’s linked to academic pressures, parental pressures, or societal pressures. To fit in and to succeed are some of the biggest stresses for the younger generation, known to impact poor mental health.

It’s also important to remember that levels of rationality and clarity are lower for young people when compared with adults. Stress and low feelings can be harder to digest, directly impacting lifestyle choices, outlooks, and mental health.

Yet more recently, a change, in reality, has increased the risks of poor mental health, including Covid-19 and the lack of support that it’s influenced.

 

The Rise of Mental Health Issues in Young People

Over the last year, Covid-19 and the change in life that it’s caused have been found to contribute to the rise. Social isolation, disrupted education, a lack of employment, the uncertainty of the pandemic, loneliness and sadness are all causes of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

The rise of mental health issues in young people is also due to a lack of relatable support. Opening up about emotions can be difficult whilst working through the development stages of adolescence. Support is either limited or is overwhelming, making it challenging for many teens and young adults to reach out and accept support. With the added pressure of Covid-19 and the shift of virtual support, 75% of the younger generation are failing to experience the support they need.

Support is very important through change, especially whilst manoeuvring through early life decisions and experiences. If you’ve struggled to find the right support, for your mental health, see some of our below recommendations here at Addiction Advocates.

 

Mental Health Support and Services for Young People

As life, Covid-19 and the stress of its impacts will continue, mental health issues will likely remain. However, it’s how we approach them that will either influence suffering or recovery for young people.

Mental health support services for young people are available. Yet it’s firstly important to feel comfortable to reach out, and secondly to find the most suitable level of support.

Via the NHS, children and young people’s mental health services are available, offering both face to face and online sources of support. A wealth of information is available sharing the signs of mental health issues, routes of recovery and helplines. Mental health treatments, with a focus on therapy, can also be encountered via the NHS.

Free confidential advice can also be provided by YoungMinds, suitable for young people under the age of 25. The charity is available to offer guidance through Covid-19, along with changes in everyday life as a young person.

Self-help is something that is communicated yet does require greater awareness. Lifestyle choices, associations, physical health, and relationships can all impact mental health. Learning how to follow a balanced lifestyle, how to cope with stress and how to form healthy relationships will be beneficial.

 

Getting help here at Addiction Advocates

Here at Addiction Advocates, we can help you if you or a loved one is suffering from poor mental health. We offer self-referrals and family/friend referrals into rehab for a range of mental health treatments. Yet before an admission, we offer advice, confidential guidance and also information on your next best steps.

Rehab isn’t always the answer, as some symptoms and mental health issues can be managed through self-care and help. We can support you with this if your issues are manageable. Yet in other instances, professional support and treatment will be required, to reduce the impacts of poor mental health.

Reasonably, it can be very difficult to balance mental health whilst growing up. Never mind whilst faced with change, unpredictability, and unprecedented times. The rise of mental health issues in young people indicates just that. We’re here to alleviate those pressures, by offering personal help.

Mental health issues are sadly turning into the norm, even for young people. Whilst common, it’s important that we work to raise awareness of coping and treatment, along with how to reduce initial issues. Reach out for greater awareness for improved mental health.

 

Sources:

https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/nhs-england-mental-health-children-young-people

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/c/children-and-young-people

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/children-depressed-signs/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/coronavirus-and-mental-health/