Youth Mental Health

Every month Mark is interviewed by radio station 99.7fm to talk about topical issues in Psychology. This month he talks about Youth Mental Health. See below for a summary transcript

Why mental health in schools?

The ages of 13-17 years is hugely important to an individual’s development. You have physical changes happening and then you have different pressures to deal with (e.g., academia, fitting in, romantic relationships etc). If you can get this time in your life right, then it sets you up for later in life. It can really make or break you as an individual.

What are the different mental issues that high school students are having to be aware of?

Depression and Anxiety are the two common ones. 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 high school students would be dealing with either depression or anxiety at any given time. It really is that common and this is a reflection of broader society as well.

I didn’t realise high-school was so stressful?

It is quite a stressful time for students. Its unrelenting. In Yr 8 & 9 you are dealing with hormones and fitting in, being liked and even romantic relationships. You have this journey that you have to go through but you don’t have a map to follow. By the time you get to Yr 11 & 12, you have the academic pressures on you as well. Throw into the mix formals and pressure from parents, the constant comparison to peers and general lack of life experience to draw upon, make this a very stressful time for adolescents.
What advice do you have for parents, who are currently dealing with these issues?

An important thing for parents to do is to give their children space and not to crowd them. It is a trap that most parents fall into cos they want to help out their children, they see them struggling a bit, they are doing what any good parent would do. Sometimes, taking a step back and letting their son or daughter come to them is the best thing that they can do. Adolescents are amazing at problem solving and if they have a problem they will find a way around it or seek the help that they need.

So really it is about communication?

Exactly, especially during adolescence. They are not the best communicators going around. There is this tendency for adolescents to think that they are the only ones dealing with their problem. I remember when I was in Yr 8 and 9, I wasn’t the best communicator with the different issues I was facing. I remember talking to my mother about some of the issues I was dealing with 2 years later. She had no idea what I was going through.

And there is help out there?

There are heaps of different people out there to help you get through this time in your life, some who have had similar experiences. For example; Psychologists, for me it was a tutor and also talking with friends and family. So there is a heap of support out there and you don’t have to go at it alone!

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