Adolescence is a time of many changes. Young people develop both physically and emotionally. Changes in the body can feel suddenly very alien, and it’s not easy to accept all these changes. The mind is also in turmoil; at times everything is fine, and the young person is happy and content. At other times, they might become irritable, sullen, and yell at their parents. Often, the young person themselves cannot keep up with their fluctuating emotions and is as confused as their parents. Adolescence changes both the young person and their parents.
In recent years, the onset of puberty has occurred earlier in nearly all industrialized countries. Adolescence also lasts longer than it used to. This period is more uncertain than in previous generations. The surrounding society has become more hectic and demanding. Major decisions regarding one’s future must be made at an increasingly earlier stage, and young people are expected to take on significant responsibilities, including in their studies, at an even earlier age.
At the same time as these changes, we have been hearing news from various media outlets about the increase in mental health issues among young people. In many municipalities and cities, referrals to youth psychiatry have grown almost explosively, and not all those in need of help are receiving it in time. This leads to social exclusion, with young people potentially becoming unable to enter the workforce due to mental health issues before they have even started their careers. All these factors together result in significant costs for society. According to various estimates, the cost of a single marginalized young person to society can be as high as 370,000 euros. The costs and harm to individual people are almost impossible to measure in monetary terms.
Youth well-being and how to support it
What causes youth distress and what can be done about it? There is no single answer to this question. The causes of youth distress have been explored through various studies and barometers. Particularly for young girls, anxiety is often caused by concerns about the future, climate change, personal appearance, comparisons with others, school, grades, and pressure to succeed. Other sources of distress for young people include parental conflicts, divorce, custody disputes, financial worries, social situations, time pressure, stress, and loneliness. According to the Youth Barometer published in March, young people feel insecure due to climate change, the global political situation, and terrorism. They are also worried about their future careers. The education and job markets are undergoing significant changes, making the future appear uncertain to young people.
Youth well-being and how to support it
The changes and hectic nature of the job market also affect young people indirectly through their parents. Many young people mentioned in the Youth Barometer responses how they constantly miss a parent who is away on business trips, a parent living in a different home due to divorce, or parents who live in the same home but are not present. Many young people also do not want to share their problems with their parents because they know their parents are already burdened.
One of the most important tasks of adolescence is the detachment from parents, and this phase can be confusing for the young person themselves. During this time, the need for acceptance from peers grows. Previously, peer acceptance was mainly sought during school hours, but with social media, it has become a 24/7 concern. Social media has also increased bullying and sexual harassment, with girls in particular feeling more unsafe.
Particularly girls may engage in self-harm as a way to manage anxiety. Anxiety often manifests differently in boys and girls; boys are more likely to express it outwardly through actions, while girls’ symptoms tend to be internalized. Self-harm is frequently used as a way to clear the mind of distressing thoughts, effectively transferring emotional pain into physical pain. Although self-harm may provide temporary relief, it usually also brings guilt and shame. It can become addictive, and for some, it provides a strong sense of pleasure. Self-harm can easily spread within peer groups and, in the age of social media, through online channels as well. On the other hand, social media also offers tips on how to stop self-harming and various peer support groups created by young people themselves.
To address youth distress, it is essential to provide ample support with a low threshold for access. The most important factor is that the young person’s own family and natural support network are sufficiently present in their life, able to listen to and see beyond even challenging behaviors. For an anxious young person, being heard and seen is crucial. On a broader scale, as parents, we must also take responsibility for the future we enable and leave for our children.
