Mental Health

The aim of this focus paper is to give a brief overview of mental health, signs to look out for, common myths about mental health and to direct young people to appropriate sources of help.

What is Mental Health?

Most young people are in good mental health and are able to learn from their difficulties and make the most of their abilities. People often get confused between mental health and mental illness. Mental health is about the health of the mind. It is about how people feel, think, perceive and make sense of the world and their ability to cope with stress and difficulty. However, there are many others who find it difficult to deal with the stress and pressures of everyday life. These young people may have mental health issues or experience mental illness. These can either be mild and manageable or more serious and complex which require the intervention from more specialised services. Mental health issues affect many or all aspects of a young person’s life.

Range of Mental Health Illnesses

There are a wide range of conditions which are recognised as mental illnesses. These conditions can occur in varying degrees of severity and the most common types are:

·        Anxiety Disorders for example Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

·        Mood Disorders for example Bipolar

·        Psychotic Disorders for example Schizophrenia

·        Eating Disorders for example Anorexia

Signs to look for if you are concerned that a young person has a mental disability

Adolescence is a difficult time for any young person as he/she is going through a lot of changes in life. Therefore, it is important to keep some perspective of what is expected behaviour in young people. Signs to look out for are:

·        Sudden changes in behaviour, mood or appearance

·        Becoming anxious or restless

·        Becoming aggressive

·        Unusually quiet or withdrawn, not wanting to meet with friends

·        Obsessive behaviours

·        No motivation or enthusiasm

·        Not wanting to leave the house

·        Becoming less punctual

·        Having difficulty maintaining friendships

·        Engaging in risky behaviours

Common myths/stereotypes

There is often a stigma attached to people with mental health issues and common misperceptions made.

Myth: Mental health issues and mental illnesses are uncommon.

Fact: Mental health issues and mental illnesses are a lot more common than people think and anyone can suffer from them.

Myth: Young people do not experience mental health issues or mental illnesses. It is just part of growing up.

Fact: Young people can develop severe mental health issues or mental illnesses.

Myth: Young people who have mental health issues or mental illnesses are dangerous and violent.

Fact: Young people who experience mental health issues or mental illnesses are no more violent than anybody else. Young people can become frightened and confused and often become victims of crime.

Myth: Young people who experience mental illness are weak.

Fact: Mental illness is nobody’s fault and nothing to be ashamed of. Mental illness is a result of biological, psychological and social factors.

Myth: Young people who experience mental health issues or mental illness cannot cope with the stress of working.

Fact: Everyone in life can work if there are good working conditions and appropriate support available.

Myth: Young people who experience mental health issues or mental illness are not as good of workers as a young person without these difficulties.

Fact: Young people with mental health issues or mental illnesses work at the same rate as other employees and often demonstrate good attendance, punctuality and motivation.

Myth: Young people diagnosed with mental health issues or mental illnesses will never get better.

Fact: There are a variety of treatments, services and community support systems available for young people. Young people can get better and may recover completely.

Impact of mental health issues and mental illnesses

·        Unemployment. There is a willingness to work but young people find it difficult to overcome barriers to employment

·        Stereotyping individuals as violent

·        High percentage of young people in prison due to having mental health issues

·        Isolation

·        Low confidence and self-esteem

·        Difficulties forming relationships

·        Homelessness

·        Suicide

Treatment and Support

Young people experiencing mental health issues need treatment and support to enable them to cope with the problems they are having. There are many treatments including medication, counselling, psychotherapy and self help. It is important that young people discuss what options are available with their GP so that they can decide what best suits them.