By: Anonymous member
Having a strong support system is extremely valuable for anyone’s mental health. And this support system doesn’t have to be large-- having a small group of genuine friends is more beneficial than having a large group of uncaring, double-sided friends. Especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many teenagers are experiencing loneliness, and don’t have an outlet to input their feelings. In fact, a survey conducted by BBC found that 4 out of 10 individuals aged 16-24 describe themselves as misunderstood and feeling detached. So why is this detrimental? Teenagers have a lot on their plate. About 45% of highschool students in the United States reported feeling stressed all the time. This ongoing stress and tension leads to burnout and frustration, which can cause mental health illnesses if not addressed.
Talking to trusted individuals; whether it be friends, teachers, or family members, allows teenagers to be reassured and feel loved in times of distress or overwhelming situations. The main thoughts that are associated with Depression and Social Anxiety are “no one likes me” and “I’m worthless”. Having a strong support system affirms teenagers in these situations that they have someone who cares about them and values them. In times of isolation, it can be particularly difficult to have access to people to talk to. Thus, having a tight-knit community that will always be there, virtually or in-person, is crucial.
However, there’s no need to fret if a teenager fails to find a community they fit into. As virtual communication becomes the new norm, therapists are offering consultations via online telehealth platforms. There’s a stigma regarding the efficacy of talk-therapy, but it has been proven to work. Getting things off of your chest has a huge therapeutic impact. And learning various coping mechanisms through consulting a therapist helps improve one’s mental health.
It is understood that therapy can be extremely expensive and not accessible to everyone. And on the other hand, people may not have the strongest support system either. In low-income areas in the U.S., children may not have proper access to resources regarding mental health. But it is vital to understand that everyone deserves to recover from mental illnesses. Free ways to obtain this support include, but are not limited to, mental health hotlines, insurance-supported services, school-counselors or education-based services, and sliding scale or pro-bono therapists.
Remember: Intrusive thoughts caused by mental illnesses are not true! Everyone has a purpose and a value, and you deserve to be loved and taken care of, just like others, regardless of if you have a mental health illness. You are not alone, and just remember, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel!
“I don’t think people realize how much strength it takes to pull your own self out of a dark place mentally. So, if you’ve done that today, or any day, I’m proud of you.” ~Leah Remini
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