Psychology for YOU

Studies show that almost one in seven young people meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder. Indeed, half of the lifetime mental health problems start by the age of 15, creating a substantial global socioeconomic burden. These short and longer term negative outcomes associated with youth mental health problems emphasise the importance of early detection and prompt access to professional treatment. There are mainly four issues concerned with it:

1. Lack of awareness and broader perceptions of help-seeking: From an early age, we are educated about the symptoms of a normal fever, how to prevent it, how to take care of our physical health. It is hardly the case when we’re educated about panic attacks, anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. ‘Why does one need therapy? He/She/They will be fine’ ‘Talk to your parents, your friends, why do you need an unknown stranger to talk with’ These are some of the things we get to hear on a regular basis in our society. Therapy is normal, it is for everyone, it is totally normal.

2. Social stigma and embarrassment: ‘Such a weakling, she cries at everything.’ ‘Yikes! He goes to a therapist, what a shame’ ‘It must be something major I’m sure’ and yet again, we get to hear all this on a regular basis. No, feeling your emotions, being vulnerable and mustering the courage to talk about it does not make you weak. It shows strength. How strong you are as a person to come forward and talk about it, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some of them just remain silent forever, be it about an unresolved childhood trauma, that one high school incident which adversely affected them (bullying, body shaming, sexual assault etc.) or anything in general. The topic of mental health is so stigmatised that many people don’t have the courage to come forward and talk about it. How even one person coming forward could inspire the rest of them to speak up. The victim is manipulated into thinking that it’s something to be embarrassed about. They don’t even realise they need help and support because of the stigma around it. Their ability to self analyse becomes poor as well.

3. Young people’s perception of therapeutic relationship with professionals: The youth often has a hard time opening up to an unknown stranger. It is quite understandable. Trust issues, fear of being judged and what not. This particular issue derails them from reaching out to professionals for help. Honestly, I wish as a teenager, only if someone could tell how to overcome this one haha.

4. Financial costs: Therapy is usually expensive and not everyone can afford the high costs. Due to lack of awareness, there aren’t much free quality sources and helpline numbers. The privileged section of the society still has access to proper mental health services. Unfortunately, the poor do not. Even in rich households, because of the stigma around seeking therapy and poor knowledge, people often tend to pass statements like ‘Geez. Why do you want to spend this much on talking to someone.Come talk to me I’m your “friend”.’ But I’m sorry to say, as much as parents and others think it’s easy to open up to them, it isn’t. Ask someone with anxiety and trust issues.

People aren’t able to open up to their loved ones as well because of the stigma. It becomes very triggering when someone mocks them about wanting to seek help, it makes them feel unheard. I was 14 when I had my first anxiety attack, I started hating on myself for crying too much, thinking too much and what not. The only problem was I lacked awareness at that time,only if someone told me it is totally normal, it happens with everyone, solutions to calm yourself during the situation etc. I was in conversation with a friend who has been seeking help for quite a while now, it breaks my heart to know how difficult it was for her to reach out to her mother, sit with her and make her understand why she needs a mental health professional. She still hid it from her dad and a part of her is always bothered by the fact that she couldn’t open up to him simply because of lack of awareness and other reasons. I have another friend I have known for the past ten years, he suddenly stopped talking to everyone, went in his own shell. I used to hear people talk about how he is trying to be an “attention seeker” only if they knew about what someone is dealing with behind closed doors. Maybe they aren’t seeking attention, they’re just seeking support. It builds up overtime and becomes a serious issue in adulthood, people try to bury it beneath them but it never goes away. All of this often leads to self harm, drug abuse, suicidal thoughts and many more things which have become common among teenagers these days. Therefore, seeking help at an early age is very important and must be normalised at all costs. The social stigma needs to END. Someone out there needs your help, reach out, educate them, help them. Be kind, the world needs it.