Introduction and discussion
In the same way that one’s physical health is vital to their well-being, so too is the mental health of a country’s youth, who will go on to shape the country’s future. How we feel emotionally, psychologically, and socially contributes to our mental health. The way we think, feel, and act is all influenced. It is also a factor in how we respond to pressure, interact with others, and make decisions. There is a good chance that you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, or eating disorders.
Roughly 20% of the world’s youth suffer from some mental disease, with 50% of those cases appearing before age 14. (World Health Organization). Many people commit suicide daily due to mental health issues and substance abuse. Suicide is the second largest cause of death between the ages of 15 and 29, affecting 800,000 people annually (WHO). It is on a massive scale; thus, raising awareness and providing effective care for it should receive top priority.
Taking care of one’s mental health is vital at any age, from childhood and adolescence to maturity. More attention needs to be paid to mental health issues. We must first improve its incorporation into public health initiatives and primary care settings. In addition to the obvious benefits to your mental health, taking care of your mental health can also improve your physical health. When your body is healthy, it can function at its peak. If your mental health is strong, you can deal with life’s challenges and realize your ambitions (Killackey, 2022).
Better output: According to the World Health Organization, five of the ten top causes of disability worldwide are mental health problems, and depression alone is projected to cause 200 million workdays to be lost annually. Anxiety and depression sufferers are more prone to take extended durations of sick leave, according to the literature. Meanwhile, it has been shown that those with their heads screwed on straight are more productive in the workplace.
Extra pleasure: Just as maintaining a healthy body through exercise is important, so is maintaining a healthy mind through mental fitness. When our mental health is good, we appreciate our daily experiences and the people in our lives. We have room to experiment, grow, and take chances. We are more resilient and better able to weather storms in our personal and professional lives. We experience the grief and rage that accompany such tragedies as the loss of a loved one, the termination of a job, the breakdown of a relationship, and so on. However, we can move on and find happiness in our lives again.
According to numerous research, approximately half of all people with mental illness first show symptoms before the age of 14 (Kessler, 2008). The high prevalence of “mental health issues” in Australian higher education institutions is mostly attributable to the age demographic heavily represented in secondary and tertiary education. We have seen firsthand how young individuals with severe mental problems can cause irreparable harm and even impairment to themselves and others. In my opinion, the academic year is crucial in fostering the growth of intellectual, emotional, and social competencies. How young people manage their mental health as adults can be traced back to their school years. Research also indicates that traumatic experiences in childhood contribute to the development of mental health disorders in around one-third of the population. Even though a child’s upbringing significantly impacts their level of contentment as an adult, education has traditionally been one of the most stressful aspects of young people’s lives. Youth mental health issues are common, and it is well-documented that school-related stress is a major contributor. There seems to be a growing number of college students dealing with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.
Young people’s mental health requires substantial investment from governments and the participation of the social, health, and education sectors to create comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programs. There should be a connection between this funding and initiatives that teach teenagers and young adults how to care for their mental health and their peers, parents, and educators how to aid those in their spheres of influence (Mullarkey, 2020).
Fortunately, there is an increasing awareness of the significance of assisting young people in establishing psychological resilience from an early age to deal with modern life’s stresses. There is mounting evidence that investing in the health of adolescents has positive effects not only on the health of adolescents in the short and long term but also on the economic and social well-being of communities and nations, as young adults in good physical and mental health are better able to contribute to the economy, their families and communities, and the greater good.
I believe that my mental health issues hinder my academic progress and negatively affect my physical health, social life, and career prospects. If I do not take a break from school, I will have more chances of being turned down. My doctor also told me that being emotionally healthy as a kid was an essential factor in determining my happiness and success in the future. Overcome the many obstacles to education that people like me with intellectual disabilities face, and I do not think that schools can do it alone. According to the research, it is helpful when parents, families, and communities work together to foster an environment where students like me can thrive. With the help of this partnership, schools will have access to the tools and resources they need to accommodate kids with a wide range of requirements (Dix, 2011). Cooperation of this sort is a surefire way to help kids like me flourish by enhancing our emotional well-being, decreasing our impact on the environment, and boosting our academic and social prowess.
Unfortunately, the lack of accessible mental health resources in the area prevents most young people with illnesses from receiving treatment. Because of this, even though most juvenile offenders are charged with minor charges, their disruptive behaviour may lead to detention and possible confinement in a juvenile institution. While some communities may offer some form of corrective treatment, it can be difficult for groups to access this care because individual regulations often fall short, and it is not always clear whether or not public financing will pay the costs. The prevalence of youth mental health and substance use issues is not adequately addressed by much juvenile justice and mental health systems. The models must incorporate child welfare, educational, and substance abuse treatment organizations to achieve the desired outcomes.
Better coordination can help identify people needing mental health services sooner, reducing the likelihood of arrest and involvement in the criminal justice system and easing their readmission to the community and access to treatment after incarceration. When young people with behavioural health and substance abuse problems are identified early, they have a much better chance of receiving the care they need to prevent re-incarcerated. Juvenile justice intake workers may not all conduct mental health and substance abuse screenings. Despite being the first responders in many cases, school personnel and police often lack the knowledge necessary to identify juvenile mental health issues (Cocozza, 2006). A large margin can reduce the frequency of juvenile detention admissions if clinicians are better prepared to spot signs, deal with challenging situations, and treat the youngsters who need it
Conclusion.
More and more young people are experiencing issues related to their mental health. The condition of one’s mental health should not be dismissed as an indescribable illness. Nevertheless, many other mental health issues can affect individuals. Adolescence and early adulthood are peak times for developing many mental illnesses. This highlights the need to ensure teenagers’ mental health. As a whole, the public has had varying perceptions about mental illness in the past. The perspective of a mentally ill society has taken hold of the way people think about medical ethics. Avoiding young people is important in many spheres of life, including education and social policy, because they are particularly vulnerable to the public stigmas and suicides that have plagued them.
The mind is a very potent organ, controlling the activity of every other organ in the body. When our mental stability is compromised, our bodies feel the effects throughout. The key to thriving in any endeavour is maintaining mental and physical health. A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body, and people need to be made aware of the risks associated with mental illness. You cannot have one without the other when it comes to your health, either mentally or physically. A person is considered healthy and whole only when both are in check. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to strive towards a state of mental and physical health in which both are flourishing and to seek assistance when either is failing.
References
Dix, K. L., Slee, P. T., Lawson, M. J., & Keeves, J. P. (2012). Implementation quality of whole‐school mental health promotion and students’ academic performance. Child and adolescent mental health, 17(1), 45–51.
Kessler, R. C., & Wang, P. S. (2008). The descriptive epidemiology of commonly occurring mental disorders in the United States. Annual review of public health, 29(1), 115-129.
McGorry, P. D., Mei, C., Chanen, A., Hodges, C., Alvarez‐Jimenez, M., & Killackey, E. (2022). Designing and scaling up integrated youth mental health care. World Psychiatry, 21(1), 61-76.
Schleider, J. L., Dobias, M. L., Sung, J. Y., & Mullarkey, M. C. (2020). Future directions in single-session youth mental health interventions. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 49(2), 264-278.
Skowyra, K., & Cocozza, J. J. (2006). A blueprint for change: Improving the system response to youth with mental health needs involved with the juvenile justice system. Delmar, NY: National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice.
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