It is very important that we care for young people who are having troubles with their mental wellbeing.
Young people can suffer from boredom, a sense of loneliness and isolation, low self-esteem, stress and anxiety, fluctuating and low mood, restlessness, frustration and depression.
Many of these feelings can lead to significant loss of good health and an unhappy life.
Depression and anxiety are leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Emotional disorders can profoundly affect areas like schoolwork and school attendance. Social withdrawal can increase isolation and loneliness. At times it can feel as though the only way out is to not exist anymore. Thoughts of suicide are always taken seriously. Speak honestly with your doctor about your feelings, thoughts and experiences.
Body image and anorexia, withdrawal, self-harm, use of alcohol and other drugs, and thinking about dying and suicide are all things that young people can experience. The GPs at Floreat Medical care and understand, and are here to help.
Throughout adolescence, a young person is working out their sense of self. Appearance, relationships, sexual identity, experimentation and the uncertainty of the future all play a role.
Factors that can contribute to mental stress during adolescence include a desire for greater freedom, pressure to conform with friends, exploration of sexuality, and increased access to and use of technology. Social media often presents a distorted reality. So much connection via various means can make someone feel very alone, left out, and of little value. It can be a relentless trauma and it is okay to know that the phone or ipad or computer can be “switched off”. Real conversations with friends and family are important.
It is good to develop healthy habits such as regular exercise, healthy food intake, ‘time out’ for quiet thinking, reading or listening to music, healthy sleep patterns, planning work or study to take pressure off, talking to peers, and understanding and managing emotions.
A sense of belonging to a family and friendship group is important. Trauma can occur if these key security areas feel risky and unsure.
Young people need to be protected, and also know how to protect themselves. Unfortunately, sometimes situations can arise where others take advantage of what they see is vulnerability in a young person and a situation of abuse can occur. This can be physical, sexual or mental.
Abuse can occur at school, at home, on social media, in a work environment or socially and can be insidious or unexpected.
A safe place to go is to your GP. Confidential and trustworthy, your GP can help. Some things are very sensitive and private. Your GP at Floreat Medical knows how to listen and understand without judgement.
If reading this website content causes any concerns please seek help:
• Head 2 Health https://headtohealth.gov.au
• Crisis hotlines & chats https://headtohealth.gov.au/crisis-links
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Beyondblue support service: 1300 22 4636