Navigating the Mental Health Challenges of Today's Youth: Strategies for Support and Empowerment
“I’m so depressed.”
“I literally wanna kill myself.”
“I hate my (X body part).”
“I’m too fat.”
Concerning phrases like these ones are thrown around nonchalantly by today’s teenage generation, both in online platforms, face-to-face-interactions and sometimes in private conversations. The casual use of such distressing phrases highlights a concerning trend within this generation, raising awareness about the importance of mental health and the need for open discussions to address these issues.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety among teenagers is alarmingly high. In fact, these mental health challenges have become so widespread that they are passed off as the norm, rather than recognized for what they truly are—serious illnesses affecting the brain.
In the CDC’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, teen boys and girls across the US were analyzed for frequent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.The results reveal that 29% of teen boys and 57% of teen girls consistently experience these low moods, often leaving them in debilitating states. While these high numbers are incredibly distressing for both genders, the impact is particularly pronounced in young girls, with over half of them reporting having depressive symptoms.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety among teenagers is alarmingly high.
These mental health challenges have become so widespread that they are passed off as the norm, rather than recognized for what they truly are—serious illnesses affecting the brain.
Unrealistic beauty standards formed on social media have infiltrated society
With the rise of the internet, social media has become an addictive force in the world. Although the capability to connect online with anyone at any time is undoubtedly incredible, the pressures that come with the online space prove to be very harmful to physical and mental health. Younger generations are expected to uphold a curated virtual identity – constantly posting, consuming content, liking, commenting and more. This has led to a false sense of reality where consumers can’t help but compare difficult and dull moments in their lives to the vibrant, fairytale-like lives of influencers, models, movie stars, and even friends who portray a perfect world on their social media. With girls specifically, there is an expectation to flaunt physical appearance on their profiles like a beauty badge of honor. We see girls compete with one another to be prettier, skinner, superior, have more friends, and prove to have a better life. This addictive, never-ending online competition traps young women in a cycle of comparison, pushing them to internalize feelings of inferiority to their peers. Despite the apparent virtual interconnectedness of these social platforms, the time spent on social media often causes physical isolation and can lead to extreme loneliness.
According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) study, 40 to 60 percent of elementary school girls are afraid of “becoming too fat.” As girls progress through adolescence, the negative attitudes toward their physical appearance intensify. Eating disorders have become alarmingly common amongst young adults who sacrifice their health in pursuit of an idealized body type. Ultimately, the societal attitude towards the female body has shifted to one of self-loathing and lock of appreciation.
These harsh realities contribute to young women losing their sense of self. The alarming youth suicide rates witnessed today serve as a tragic manifestation of the pervasive dark self-perceptions prevalent in society. Moreover, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry explored the link between suicidal thoughts and the menstrual cycle. The participants included 119 women who completed daily mood tracking. If any suicidal thoughts, attempts, or planning was experienced, the girls would document them. Initially, suicidal risk was confirmed to be more prevelent on days immediately before or after menstruating in women who have been diagnosed with a mental health diagnosis such as substance abuse, mood disorders, eating disorders, etc. However, upon further exploration, this high correlation of suicidal ideas during menstruation, immediately before, or promptly after is demonstrated to be a risk factor for all women because of massively fluctuating moods.
Suicidal thoughts linked to certain times during the menstrual cycle
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, shows that suicidal thoughts may also be linked to certain times during the menstrual cycle.
The researchers followed 119 women who had a mental health diagnosis (including premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a premenstrual mood disorder that increases suicide risk), substance use disorder, or eating disorder. The participants were asked to complete a daily survey tracking their mood—including depression, anxiety, and rejection sensitivity—as well as suicidal ideation and planning for at least one menstrual cycle. To their knowledge, it is the first study, that looks at suicide risk with daily mood tracking.
In general, they found that suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts were most common in the days just before and after bleeding begins. However, the researchers also found individual differences in terms of how the menstrual cycle affects suicidality.
In addition, the study found that suicide risk was linked to the menstrual cycle for most participants, not just people with a premenstrual mood disorder. Only about 40% of the participants met the criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). However, even participants who didn’t have PMDD demonstrated increased suicide risk during certain parts of the cycle.
As females transition from adolescence to womanhood, their bodies undergo significant changes. These changes can be quite drastic. With the emergence of breasts, widening hips, the onset of acne, growth of hair, hormonal fluctuations, and the experience of a first period. Puberty can be uncomfortable, and young women who lack adequate knowledge about this life stage may feel like strangers in their own bodies. Negative societal stigmas surrounding menstruation depict periods as gross and portray women as emotionally unstable. These perceptions contribute to women viewing their bodies as “flawed” especially when comparing themselves to the idealized images shown in the media.
Self-Care: Nurturing Well-Being, Embracing Body Positivity, and Building Community
This is precisely why self care practices and fostering a positive self image is absolutely vital to the happiness and wellbeing of today’s youth. We are only granted one body, and it should be celebrated for achieving fundamental functions necessary for us to exist such as breathing, eating, walking, sleeping, speaking, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. The body was not designed to conform to beauty standards, its primary purpose is survival. Acknowledging this and appreciating its remarkable capabilities is the first step in creating a contentment and improving well being.
Empowering young women to embrace and celebrate their bodies' vital transformations phases through life would enable them to reclaim their power.
The many faces of menstruation and the complexities it brings are too often experienced alone. Instead of this disempowering isolation, MYSA is committed to establishing a community for women of all ages to rejoice together in the beautiful intricacies of womanhood.
10 self-care practices to promote body positivity:
1. Positive Mirror Affirmations: Start and end your day by looking in the mirror and saying positive affirmations about your body and appearance. Focus on what you love about yourself rather than perceived flaws.
2. Body-Positive Social Media: Curate your social media feed to include accounts and influencers who promote body positivity and self-love. Unfollow accounts that make you feel insecure or trigger negative body image thoughts.
3. Journaling: Set aside time each day to journal about your thoughts and feelings related to body image. Challenge negative self-talk and write down things you appreciate about your body and its capabilities.
4. Intuitive Movement: Engage in physical activities that bring you joy and make you feel good, rather than focusing solely on calorie burning or weight loss. Dance, swim, hike, or practice yoga for the pleasure of moving your body.
5. Nourishing Nutrition: Focus on nourishing your body with a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Avoid restrictive diets or food rules that promote negative body image.
6. Self-Care Spa Day: Treat yourself to a self-care spa day at home. Take a relaxing bath, do a face mask, and pamper yourself with gentle skincare routines to nurture your body and mind.
7. Creative Expression: Explore creative outlets such as painting, writing, or crafting to express your feelings about body image and self-acceptance. Use art as a way to celebrate your unique beauty and individuality.
8. Community Support: Connect with other young women who share similar experiences and struggles with body image. Join body-positive groups or attend workshops and events focused on self-love and acceptance.
9. Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating by paying attention to hunger cues, eating slowly, and savoring the flavors and textures of your food. Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad" and instead focus on enjoying meals with gratitude.
10. Stop caring what people think of you and live your life unapologetically!
M🌷SA
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