Mental health issues among young people has overtime become an epidemic that is taking a devastating toll on the lives of this present generation.
There are many complex and multifaceted factors responsible for this, but experts point out a number of factors like social media, increasing rates of childhood trauma, and inadequate mental health resources as some of the few reasons why this crisis persist. The consequences of the epidemic is far-reaching, affecting everything mostly the educational sectors and increased suicide rates.
Social media has contributed alot to the rise of mental health issues among youths. The constant use of social media can lead to the feeling of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem because they cannot differentiate between “reality” and “realism” on social media. It propagates cyberbullying and violent conversations which can further affect their mental health. Furthermore, it can also affect their sleep and cause them to spend less time on other important activities like socializing and exercising.
The effects of the mental health crisis among young people are not limited to individuals, but are also having a profound impact on society as a whole. As a generation of young people struggles to cope with mental health issues, the future of our economy, healthcare system and the social fabric of the society hangs in the balance.
Despite the seriousness of the problem, there is hope. A number of innovative programs and initiatives are being developed to address the mental health crisis among young people. From increased access to mental health professionals to social media literacy programs, there are a number of ways we can work to address this issue. While the task ahead is daunting, it’s not impossible.
The mental health crisis among young people is a serious problem, but one that we can overcome if we work together. It’s not just about treating individual cases but about changing the culture and creating a world where everyone has the support and resources they need to thrive and can stop judging or criticizing others. Then we can truly say that we are addressing the mental health crisis among young people.
– Nuhu Bashira.
Mass Communication Department,
Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State.
