Is this a crisis? The youth mental health crisis is real and it is right now

The youth mental health crisis is real and it is right now.

When a young person becomes isolated it’s almost an impossible place to grow from. Young people must get the opportunity to connect with others and explore who they are because when they uncover that, they’ll realise their own unlimited potential.

Here are some simple ideas to aid you in supporting any young person in your life:

• Keep the communication lines open and encourage them to talk about their feelings often.
• Prompt good eating habits as it directly correlates to their mood and how they feel daily
• Participate in fun activities to engage in as a family or with their friends.
• Set limits on devices through in-home routers and time limit certain apps
• Encourage 8-10 hours of sleep a night; sleep and mental health are unsurprisingly linked
• Encourage the practice of mindfulness; being engaged in the present moment helps to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress
• Place importance on staying connected to friends; supporting others or being supported.
• Share the mistakes you have made – hearing that it is ok to make mistakes for the sake of trying is a lifelong journey.

If we can remain open to staying aware of how the teens around us, and in our lives, are reacting to the world then we are all in a better place for the future. Love, respect and understanding goes a long way – we just have to offer them more, and more often.

If you or the teen in your life needs someone to talk to, or you would like to find our more online about mental health, please refer to organisations such as Kids Helpline, Headspace and ReachOut.com and lifechanger.org.au

Scott, LifeChanger's CEO