Adolescent mental health: Challenges and opportunities in a post-Covid world
According to the definition by the World Health Organization, mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community.” The psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in the mental health and emotional well-being of millions being severely affected. Adolescents are arguably among the worst hit when it comes to the psychological ravages of the pandemic. Loss of loved ones, and financial insecurity due to job loss of caregivers, coupled with isolation due to social distancing—all have combined together to make these tough times even for difficult for them. Here are some resources that can help them battle the crisis.
Mental health support groups
One of the ways in which mental health of youngsters can be improved is by having equitable and accessible mental health support groups. Youngsters should be encouraged to reach out for help without fear of stigma and discuss their thoughts freely. All of their feelings should be allowed and welcome and they must feel better at the end of such discussion. Organisations such as Sangath India, NIMHANS, MindPeers, etc. have paid as well free counselling services that students can avail of. The trained and qualified mental health professionals at these organisations are well-equipped to deal with the concerns of adolescents, particularly any issues that they have experienced during extended lockdowns.
Mental health apps
When it comes to taking care of adolescents’ mental health, asking for help is better than bottling up the thoughts inside their minds. Applications like ‘being’, MindPeers, InnerHour, YourDOST etc. are available on Google Playstore with a host of features like meditative music, free counselling chat boxes, MindPeers Boats (a feature where different topics related to mental health are taken up on a weekly basis) are available for the students free of cost. Using such applications has often helped students come out feeling better and happier than they used to earlier, dealing with their overthinking and anxiety by themselves.
Raising mental health awareness
The easiest and simplest way to talk about any difficult topic is to create awareness around it. In the age of social media and digital media, students can benefit from availing free webinar services through video conferencing apps like Zoom, MS Teams, Google Duo. Especially during the lockdown, many organisations such as Fortis Hospitals, NIMHANS and many others have been conducting Instagram and Facebook Live as well as webinars on the aforementioned platforms that will help adolescents in dealing with their mental health issues.