Young people and mental health in a changing world

Ms Byomuhangi is a counselling psychologist, East African Professional Counselling Institute (Uganda). COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

Not about money. A responsible parent will want the best for his/her child; and this has nothing to do with how much money one has.

World Health Organisation (WHO) 2018 message to mark the World Mental Health Day on October 10 states that mental illness begins by the age of 14 although most cases go undetected and untreated. Furthermore, it says harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents is a major issue in many countries and can lead to risky behaviours such as crime, unsafe sex and dangerous driving. In this regard, there is a growing recognition of the importance of building mental resilience among young people and that prevention begins with being aware of and understanding early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Children, adolescents and young adults are predisposed to anxiety, depression, somatoform disorders, aggressive and antisocial behaviours, hyperactivity, and developmental disorders. Parents, teachers and government have a duty to build life skills for children, adolescents and young adults to help them cope with everyday challenges at home and at school and support those with mental illnesses in the management and recovery process.

Eric Erikson, a reknown developmental psychologist, categorises people aged 18-35 as ‘young adults’. In Uganda, the significance of this age group cannot be underrated in as far as the country’s socio-economic development is concerned. This is also a time when individuals are at the peak of their physical strength and alertness of mind. Needless to say, the process of human growth and development would have started much earlier, meaning that positive interventions and socialisation should have begun even at the time of conception.

The stage of adolescence poses a special crisis in that the individual is in the process of finding out who they are, and this identity crisis may spill over even into the young adult stage, thus leaving them confused and isolated. The things that will inevitably undermine their sense of worth are redundancy, inadequacy, lack of emotional support, a sense of hopelessness, helplessness, and lack of understanding from significant others.

These in all likelihood result in stress, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression or even suicidal tendencies if not adequately addressed. The quality of young adults’ mental health should be our concern as we celebrate the World Mental Health Day. Indeed, the saying “there is no health without mental health” is very pertinent.

The Ugandan society has evolved and new forms of living are shaping and reshaping social systems with the known traditional forms of conducting business relegated to history. Significantly, the family structure system that used to be our anchor, has disintegrated due to rural urban migration; traditional family values have gradually been eroded, and the formal education system does not seem to provide adequate life skills.

The whole notion of globalisation has affected the way parents are nurturing children with majority of them only being ‘part-time’ parents owing to the nature of their employment. Psychologists have emphasised the importance of parenting in the early stages of childhood in human growth and deployment.

A person missing out on this stage is like a house without a foundation. Parenting and nurturing at this stage become so crucial that once this stage has not been properly handled, the subsequent stages become shaky. Because parents ‘do not have time’ for their children, the next best option seems to be social media whose content the parents have no control over. It simply means that especially the children will consume all the good, the not so good, and the ugly that comes from the social media. Unfortunately, it is the unpalatable stuff that seems to stick into the young minds. The current technological age has left an ill prepared young generation virtually helpless and at a loss.

Luckily, not all is lost and indeed, there is a saying that where there is a will, there is a way. There are productive ways of engaging children, adolescents, and young adults. A responsible parent will want the best for his/her child; and this has nothing to do with how much money one has. Planning to have quality time with children will give them confidence and a sense of worth. This is the very first important gift that children get from their parents.

To young people, your mental health should not be determined by your past life experiences. You are producers and products of your environment that will determine your mental health. You can focus your attention on productive activities: academics, build healthy relationships with your friends, join clubs, engage in social activities, do sports/exercises, and seek spiritual nourishment.
And finally when things do not seem to be working for you, do not wait until you snap. There is a crop of counselling psychologists always at hand to support you.

Ms Byomuhangi is a counselling psychologist, East African Professional Counselling Institute (Uganda). [email protected]