The week of 12th to 18th May marks national Mental Health Awareness Week. The initiative is organised by the Mental Health Foundation and has been running since 2001. This year’s theme is community, which focuses on the importance of creating connections and relationships within different social groups and the significant role that these connections play in good mental health.
For young people, this doesn’t just mean family and the area where we live but also includes school and friendship groups as well as organisations like sporting and social clubs. This idea of ‘belonging’ can be quite challenging for young people, particularly as they enter adolescence and gravitate between the differing pulls of childhood and adulthood.
The family community
Although this is the first and arguably most influential community that young people experience, relationships can sometimes become strained during adolescence as teenagers are biologically programmed to pull away from parents and carers during this time. Fundamentally, this is nature’s way of making young people more independent and preparing them for making their own way in the world. This can be a difficult time for both parents and children as the young person strives for independence whilst parents have to learn to give their child trust and increasing freedoms. It can seem to parents and carers that their child no longer needs them, but this is absolutely not true. However, parenting styles, rules and regulations do often have to evolve as a young person grows. The young people that I work with who are fortunate to have a stable, secure base with family and carers benefit hugely from this sense of community – even if they don’t always express appreciation or recognise its importance at the time.
Alone in a crowd
Friendships are important at any time of life, but during the teenage years socialising and friendship groups play a critical role in good mental health. However, these can also be very difficult to navigate for many young people. This generation of teenagers is probably the most judged of any generation ever – whether it’s exams or social media, our young people live in a world where appearances matter. Wear the wrong thing, like the wrong music and you can become socially isolated. Many teenagers live in apprehension and fear of the judgement of their peers – and even their friends. Despite appearing outwardly confident and savvy, many teens struggle with low self-esteem which can be increased by feelings of isolation and peer judgement. These are themes that frequently recur when counselling children and young people, with the work focusing on ways of managing and reducing social anxiety and creating safe, stable relationships.
The importance of connection
We can all feel lonely sometimes, but the more connected we are to other people, the less chance we have of feeling lonely. When working with young people in the counselling room, we often talk about the difference between being alone and being lonely. Feeling comfortable in our own company is an important skill to master – and it’s totally different to being lonely. A young person may be surrounded by friends and family but may still feel lonely and misunderstood. Building relationships with a variety of people through sports, clubs and activities such as drama or music all help to create a feeling of belonging and community which is so important in reducing mental health issues around stress, anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and loneliness.
A neurodiverse community
Finding a supportive community can be particularly important for young people who are neurodiverse as those with ADHD or autism for example can find some social situations more challenging or daunting to manage. Creating a sense of belonging within a community where they feel understood and secure is crucial in helping neurodiverse young people to thrive and feel more socially confident.
Other factors in good mental health
In our quest to support young people, we do sometimes forget the basic pillars of good mental health. While social connection is important, proper sleep, good nutrition, hydration and regular exercise are also key. So, when considering your mental health, or the mental health of those you care about, these basic elements are always a good place to start.
Useful resources for children and young people
There is also a wealth of information on the internet. These are just some of the websites that I recommend to young people and their families or carers.
- The mental Health Foundation has a section on children and young people.
- The Young Minds website also has helpful information on a range of mental health topics from depression to neurodiversity.
- Child Bereavement UK specialises is supporting bereaved children and young people.
- The NHS Every Mind Matters project has advice for parents concerned about their child’s mental health.
- The NSPCC also has some useful sections on its website.
Worried about your child’s mental health? Book a free consultation today
Counselling can help young people with a wide range of issues. If you would like to find out more for yourself or your child, I offer a free 30-minute consultation at Archway Health and Wellbeing to help decide if therapy could be useful. Call 01858 410 820 or email admin@archwayhealth.co.uk to make an appointment.