19/07/2023
* Adolescents today face immense academic pressure, with high expectations to excel academically. This pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
* The rise of social media and technology has had both positive and negative impacts on adolescent mental health. While it provides opportunities for connection and information (nobody ever has to or can be alone anymore) it also exposes adolescents to cyberbullying, unrealistic body standards, and constant comparison with others, which can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety to name a few.
* Changes in family structures and dynamics, such as divorce, ‘blended’ families or overworked parents can impact adolescent mental health. These changes may lead to increased stress, feelings of instability, and a lack of emotional support.
* Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure and bullying, both in-person and online. These experiences can have a significant impact on their mental health, leading to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression.
* Despite the increasing need for mental health support, many adolescents face barriers in accessing appropriate care. This may be due to limited availability of mental health services, financial constraints, or stigma surrounding mental health that prevents individuals and parents from seeking help. Sadly, many adolescents I see in private practice are unable to wait any longer for the hep they need.
* In case all of the above wasn’t enough to process, we can’t omit to mention Covid which had a huge impact on everyone but possibly the biggest impact was on young people. I’ll be doing a post entirely committed to Covid’s impact soon.
