World Mental Health Day 2018 : Young People in the Grasp of Psychological Disturbances 

In the fast evolving world that we are living in today, changes are happening every day and young people especially are easily drifting through the impact of rapid alterations and are becoming vulnerable to this shifting world. Their character being moulded by these changes, sometimes they rush to indulge more and more in acculturating themselves to these facilities that are within easy reach, which according to experts, are behind the causes of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders and many others. 

The theme this year, ‘Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World” illustrates a profound concern about their future. Experts in this field provide deeper insight on this issue. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Is the situation alarming in our country? What are the sources and solutions of these mental illnesses?  

According to the sociologist Ibrahim Khoodruth, there are two main reasons.  The first one is that our world has turned into a virtual reality. With Facebook and other social networks, the lives of young people have taken a new turn. “Technologies have eased communication among people, but simultaneously, they have distanced themselves from actual relationships. Youngsters confine themselves to their small room with their mobiles or laptops,” he underlines. This, according to him, creates a rift between family members. He explains that they over indulge in the virtual world and seek the help of strangers to solve their every problem.  Not receiving the right advice from other people often leads to further complications, which intertwines with the first reason.  “This is the time when they develop mental illnesses and sometimes take the wrong decisions which can lead to depression or even suicide,” he explains.  

In difficult moments, he adds, the youngster finds himself in awkward situations, as he is not able to inform his family members about any problem. This is all due to the seclusion they brought upon themselves. “I’m not asking them in any way to stop using these facilities or cut off completely. Sometimes it’s really necessary when you are seeking information about products, job searches and others,” he said. He advises young people not to use the social networks to post personal information or discuss family matters. Seeking attention is a sickness which, for the sociologist, is another factor for mental illnesses. 

To find a remedy for any problem, Ibrahim Khoodruth affirms that family is a sacred thing. One must not break away from family relationships for petty reasons. Parents should, however, ensure that they are not the ones responsible for the child to have built a wall between them. “To avoid the seclusion of one’s child, a parent must act with flexibility. Take out time to reinforce your relationship with your child with common activities like dinner and outings, among a host of others.”

Mental Health : Its impact on the youth 

The psychiatrist Dr Vinod Ramkoosalsingh defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and the nearly absence of any disease or infirmity and mental being is a state where the person is at ease with himself or in any situation, he can therefore cope with the stresses of life.

There are many examples which can sometimes become the sources of stress, such as studies, exams, leaving home to study abroad, starting a new job, family problems, alcohol, drugs, cyber addiction and gambling.

“Mental illnesses like depression often lead to suicide, risky behaviour, unsafe sex, dangerous driving, bullying, violence, bipolar disorder, psychosis, eating disorders, conduct disorder, and violence. Another mental problem is the regressive attitude, that is isolating oneself, where they don’t want to meet people and they neglect personal hygiene,” he explains.

For the psychologist, Karunah Rajiah, life is nowadays being lived in the fast lane.  A few decades ago, life was different as compared to nowadays.  This is due to the fact that technology and modernization have taken a toll.  “Most youngsters are addicted to the internet, leading to addiction to social media, which in turn has changed the lifestyle of youngsters. For instance, online learning does not require leaving the house, attend a class and work in groups and so on. Making friends, sharing feelings, ideas and views are made virtually through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram,” she explains. The psychologist adds that youngsters are even falling in love via the screen and they mess up their lives in no time. Everything is virtual and the youngsters are comfortable with it.

Furthermore, bullying has taken another level in this: In the modern era, traditional bullying has turned into cyber bullying. “The lives of youngsters are controlled by a screen and internet has become their teacher. Friends live behind a screen and the human touch is lost. People are stuck to a device and hardly lift their heads up for fresh air,” she points out. According to her, the fingers are getting more exercise than the body and the eyes are so glued to the screen that the brain is shrinking. Moreover, reality is real on the screen of a device making fantasy the new reality. Lifestyle has changed so much that people need to earn a lot to survive. Young adults need to struggle to make ends meet and thus end up doing everything in a hurry, like getting divorced as quickly as getting married, sinking into debt or drugs, in other words life is like a waterfall, it keeps on moving and people are always trying to make up for it, thus forsaking their health. For her, factors like debts, drugs, low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, being stuck in a career, lack of real communication among family members, sharing feelings, joy and sadness are destroying the physical and mental health of our young people.

How to cope?

According to the psychiatrist Dr Vinod Ramkoosalsingh, the solutions to mental illnesses are simple. A healthy lifestyle, adequate sleep, exercise, balanced diet, alcohol and drug free life are the guaranteed solutions to many mental conditions. Being informed helps considerably. “Listen to radio programs on health topics to learn more and to be able to detect early signs and subsequently find ways to cure a disorder,” he declares. He also points out that “some parents hide their problems for fear of stigma or simply because they are ignorant, assuming it for a ‘crise d’adolescence’.” These illnesses can be cured, according to Dr Vinod, if they are detected at an early stage. With the right psychotherapies, their mental health can easily be improved. 

Karunah, for her part, thinks that we need to learn to set our priorities. The most important factor, according to her, is our health. “Health as we know is wealth,” she says. Each one of us needs to answer a few questions before moving on in life: How to be healthy? What shall I do to be healthy? What do I want to do in my life? Where do I see myself in five to ten years’ time? These are a few questions that can help people get back on track.” Life will then be like a train stopping at a station and learning at every stop will give us more experience in life. “I strongly advise young people to visit a mental health professional every three months or on a monthly basis and follow their sessions for proper guidance in life,” she concludes.

Bhavana Ramchelawon : “Stop seeking attention for every action”

For Bhavana Ramchelawon, Youth Leader and Public Relations Officer of Gold Award Holders Association, many young people suffer from mental tensions which later deteriorate into severe mental illnesses. One reason, according to her observation, is the sickness of seeking attention. “Youngsters nowadays are following fashions and trends that other people have set for the mass. They don’t respect their individuality and do not customize their beauty as per their personality. This is where the problem arises,” she says.  These often create mental stress for themselves when people around don’t give their approval or like what they do. They become so obsessed with each other’s opinion, as if they are not living their lives but the lives of others. “Many parents approach us to advise their children who have resorted to drugs and alcohol at a very young age. Sometimes, the hole is so deep that it is very difficult for us to fill the gap,” she states. 

Over dependency culture on artificial gadgets has created a new type of sickness in society. “For instance, in most cases, if a student is studying at home, he has his mobile phone next to him,” Bhavana explains. She adds that even at places of worship, youngsters are preoccupied with selfies which they will later upload on their social accounts. “They constantly seek attention or show off, which subsequently, makes them resort to erroneous means,” she confides.

For a good mental health, she gives them a brilliant advice. “Start with doing social work first at home and then in your neighbourhood. It took me six years to teach my grandmother how to write her name, sign, and use a touch screen mobile phone and many other soft skills. But today, this makes me and her happy when she manages many things,” she narrates. For her, happiness comes in the shape of doing these little things and young people should find means to dedicate a little of their time to do small chores, which ultimately will bring a sense of peace. “Stop doing everything to gain attention,” she advised. The immediate actions a young person can take is to organize activities for one’s neighbours, family members and the poor people. 

Frederic Nullathemby : “Get out of your comfort zone”

Having worked with youngsters for many years now, Frederic Nullathemby, president of Rotary Club Rose Belle, has a lots of experience dealing with such cases of mental instability. As he sees it, youngsters have created a comfort zone. They get so addicted to this comfort zone that it becomes the principal cause of stress and other mental illnesses. “Youngsters hide from the real world and this is their own tiny realm: their mobile, their laptop and the social networks.

With that attitude, they are doing nothing concrete for their family, career, society and country. They are content in an easy-going world where there is nothing that enhances them as an individual,” he explains. With all the changes in the world, things are becoming too easy and thus sometimes these are to our own detriment. According to Frederic, all these things add to the disturbing mental health of the new generation, particularly when they step into the working world.

“They suffer a reality check when they realise that the technologies are not all that the world consists of,” he states. To prevent mental illnesses from becoming part of their lives, the young people need to act more responsibly so that stress stays away from their lives. Parents should also help their children with the right coaching at home,” he concludes.