Mental health is one of the most prevalent issues in today’s world, especially among teenagers. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven 10 to 19-year-olds experience a mental health issue globally. I can see this in my own life, with multiple friends and acquaintances suffering from anxiety, depression, and many other mental health issues.
But, why is mental health such a major issue among teenagers today? And what can we do about it? Much of the cause is childhood trauma, neglectful family environment, domestic abuse, or the demands that come from school or work. However, a new medium has arisen in the past decade that has caused these numbers to double: social media.
Yes, social media can arguably keep teens connected, especially post-pandemic, but it does more harm than good. Gaining likes and comments has become the defining factor for many teens' self-esteem. One of my close friends has become obsessed with posting and getting likes and comments that her whole mood is determined by how many likes she gets. She has gotten so into social media that she even notices who didn’t like her post, who didn’t comment, who didn't repost, etc.
Social media has become a severe addiction for many teens which is a huge correlation to the rising number of those suffering mental health issues. Comparisons of physical appearance and lifestyles can also cause harm. Social media has also given rise to more cyberbullying. Anytime you see someone post about their journey or something they are passionate about, you may notice a rise in hate speech. Teens are noticing and sometimes even experiencing this, and it has a great effect.
Over 50% of teens in a study published by the National Library of Medicine have noticed a rise in hate speech. With the rise of social media, anonymous accounts can more easily cyberbully others. The pandemic itself has been a sort of catalyst for the mental health crisis. Before the pandemic, there is no doubt that many were suffering from mental health issues, but now, with all the new isolation of online environments and disruptions of routines, the numbers have drastically gone up.
So, what can we do? We need to create a support system. Social media will not disappear, and we cannot undo the effects of the pandemic. Teenagers need someone to talk to, whether it's a friend or a counselor. Especially since teens are online for most of their day, the solution has to be adapted to their lives.
After talking to many peers who are teens, I have noticed a common pattern that teens are more comfortable talking to someone they barely know than someone they are close to, such as friends and family because they fear judgment or burdening others. Therefore, the solution should allow teens to talk to people who are suffering similar issues or want to help them, without pushing them out of their comfort zone when they are the most vulnerable.
In addition, professionals such as mental health counselors are not readily available for teens. In schools, there may be guidance counselors that can fill the role of a mental health counselor, but they are both inaccessible as there are only a few for so many students and can only offer helplines as they are not licensed health professionals. I hear many students mention that they fear talking to their school counselors because they don’t want reports coming to their parents or on their records.
Although many psychiatrists are available in many areas of the world, they are still inaccessible in many other regions. They are difficult in general for teens to access. Unfortunately, many teens live in an environment where mental health is not prioritized, and they won't be given the resources they need even if they express their needs.
This is why I created the Blue SkAI to bring these ideas together in a platform for teens. The Blue SkAI gives teens the opportunity to connect with those with similar mental health issues, counselors, access articles, blogs, and resources, and much more.
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