Mental Health and Youth
As the summer months fly by, we start to notice that the
nights are becoming shorter, mornings are cooler and shadows are getting
longer. Things start to shift and all too soon the summer that will be, becomes
the summer that was. Many of us start to set our eyes on new goals and
directions.
For some, this means sending our children off to High school
and Post-secondary education. As parents we do our best to prepare our children
for this stage of their life.
This can be an exciting time in their lives with dreams and
goals. A time of exploring and belief
that all things are possible. It may also be a time of trepidation's.
And for some, it will be a time of encountering mental
health issues for the first time in their life.
When they were younger, we taught them about road safety,
strangers, and to wear a helmet while riding their bikes. Never to get in a car
with a drunk driver and to always wear a seat belt.
As we buy them supplies, clothes and assorted various other
items to put in their care packages, we need to add one more thing along with
our love.
We need to send them off with the correct information on
mental health.
According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada “1 in 4
youth will experience a mental health issue. The great majority of mental
health issues occurs during adolescence and 70 % of young adults living with a
mental illness report having symptoms before age 18. Youth 18-24 are most
likely to suffer from mood disorders, substance abuse and more likely to commit
suicide”
But there is good news. There is help and the earlier the
intervention, the better the outcome.
For the last 2 years I have been educating and advocating to
various youth groups about mental health. They are bright, intelligent and
articulate. They are our future, and some of them are struggling! After each
presentation there are always some students that come up and talk to me of
their struggles and fears around the mental health of themselves, a friend or
family member. For some, this is the first time they have ever spoken about
it.
Sure it may be scary to talk to our children about mental
health issues. But by creating an open
and respectful dialogue we give them another very important tool to help and
support them for the rest of their lives. With the right information and
understanding we can help them reach their dreams and work towards making all
things possible. Like wearing the bicycle helmet, it does not mean they will
fall off their bike and bang their head, but it is there to protect them if
they do.
Having a mental illness is not a character flaw, and with
the correct diagnoses and treatment one can have a very fulfilling life. I am
proof of that. Undiagnosed mental issues
cost the individual and society at large. We all pay the price. Let’s educate this up and coming generation
so that they don’t have to pay the price. If we don’t, some will pay with their
life.
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