In October last year I ran a competition offering a free lifestyle portrait shoot in aid of World Mental Health Awareness Day. The winner of the competition was Deborah and her son Kenneth who have both suffered with mental health issues in the past. They are such a fantastic mother and son with a really close relationship that has helped them both get through any of the issues they have had.
What are mental health problems?
The theme of the 2018 World Mental Health Day is the young and those that suffer with mental health issues at an early age. Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life when many changes occur, for example changing schools, leaving home, and starting university or a new job. For many, these are exciting times. They can also be times of stress and apprehension however. In some cases, if not recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness. The expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows. Many adolescents are also living in areas affected by humanitarian emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics. Young people living in situations such as these are particularly vulnerable to mental distress and illness.
Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14
Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents is a major issue in many countries and can lead to risky behaviours such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving. Eating disorders are also of concern.
Growing recognition of the importance of building mental resilience
Fortunately, there is a growing recognition of the importance of helping young people build mental resilience, from the earliest ages, in order to cope with the challenges of today’s world. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting adolescent health brings benefits not just to adolescents’ health, both in the short and the long term, but also to economies and society, with healthy young adults able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities and society as a whole.
Prevention begins with better understanding
Much can be done to help build mental resilience from an early age to help prevent mental distress and illness among adolescents and young adults, and to manage and recover from mental illness. Prevention begins with being aware of and understanding the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness. Parents and teachers can help build life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday challenges at home and at school. Psychosocial support can be provided in schools and other community settings and of course training for health workers to enable them to detect and manage mental health disorders can be put in place, improved or expanded.
Investment by governments and the involvement of the social, health and education sectors in comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programmes for the mental health of young people is essential. This investment should be linked to programmes to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults of ways to look after their mental health and to help peers, parents and teachers know how to support their friends, children and students. This is the focus for this year’s World Mental Health Day.
Care for those that are close to you
So if you have friends, family, colleagues or neighbours that you think may need someone to talk to, particularly at this time of year and the nights are drawing in, say hello, start a conversation, ask how they are. For many people just having a friendly conversation with someone can really improve their mental health even if just for a short time. Help people to feel loved and appreciated, make them feel like they are a valued part of society. From the short time I spent with Deborah and Kenneth at Beacon Fell in Lancashire, I could tell that they regularly support each other and both are proud of what the other does for them. It really showed in the photos how much it helps them smile every single day which made for a lovely set of photographs that I was delighted to be able to provide to them.
