Last Night, our Young Mental Health Ambassadors answered a range of questions surrounding stigma about mental health, how we challenge that stigma and what people could do to better support young people’s mental health. Here are some of the questions and their responses:
Why do you think there’s stigma around talking about mental health in your age group/is there?
“I think it has become so normalised in today’s society that the stigma surrounding the mental health of young people is seen as a less serious problem/issue with not enough resources for the spike it has taken with this generation.”
“I feel like it’s getting better with awareness, but it still exists because there are a lot of people who do not acknowledge the severity of it and feel it is ‘normal’ or ‘fake’ or just a usual issue.”
“When I was in school this group of people was on Instagram and saw a post of someone sharing that they were healing or clean from what they used to struggle with, and that group’s automatic reaction was that that person was ‘attention seeking’.”
Are people open about their mental health?
“I feel like more and more people around my age are being more open about it. Like from Instagram stories they are being more open on their feelings/states they are in and ranting about their experiences and are not ashamed of what they are going through because it’s become such a normal thing I feel, with things like increasing stress from life”
“Within recent years mental health is more openly spoken about and recognised, but I would definitely say it is more over online from people which is still great as no one before then had even really heard of mental health or have family who has always been ignorant of it.”
How do you think social media shapes the way we view mental health?
“It can bring awareness but sometimes in a negative way, with unrealistic circumstances or representation. However, seeing it normalised in the media with the opportunity for younger people to grow up with that portrayal could benefit and help lessen the stigma around certain topics with younger people.”
How do you feel that mental health is talked about?
“It feels like through communication like because I’m living with a small group of housemates and when we are stressing over assignments or just having a casual night, we will pour our emotions out and listen to each other/or provide support or comfort or advice”
“I have had some people close to me, share that they are relying less on people and hotlines etc, and more on social media/apps and even things like ChatGPT because it is more easily accessible and less volatile with the response that may be given.”
How do we challenge that stigma?
“Perhaps educating/coaching parents or guardians with how to respond if approached by their children because they are typically the ones young people initially go to. However, their responses to such confessions shape and form the way those children will view the way they reach out for help in the future. So, sharing posts or resources for those adults would be incredibly beneficial and create a positive stigma around reaching out for them.”
What could adults do better to help support young people’s mental health?
“I personally think parents being more mindful for mental health awareness would help significantly, seeing awareness videos could help with their confidence in that area but children are scared to disappoint their parents and would rather back away to avoid conflict.”
“Teachers are always very eager to follow the protocol of informing the correct professional or adult rather than listening to the person who is entrusting them with that knowledge. And although the proper procedures must be followed, there should be a prioritisation of listening and understanding first.”
These answers will be sent off to CAMHS to help improve mental health services for young people. Thanks to our YMHA for their insightful responses!