The second week in Could was the 21st annual Psychological Well being Consciousness Week, which this 12 months targeted on the impression of loneliness and the sensible steps we are able to take to handle it.
For younger folks particularly, psychological well being has change into one of many biggest challenges they’re confronted with at the moment. Within the UK, authorities figures point out that one in six younger folks aged 6 to 16 had a possible psychological well being situation in late 2021, a pointy enhance from one in 9 in 2017.
In the meantime, 50 p.c of all lifetime psychological diseases develop by the age of 14, with 75 p.c growing by the age of 24, in keeping with NAMI, The Nationwide Alliance for Psychological Sickness within the US. This reveals simply what a vital and susceptible stage adolescence is and why it’s so essential to help younger folks on this stage of life.
Psychological well being is a problem that faculties internationally are grappling with as they continuously search new methods to safeguard the well-being of their college students. It’s additionally a problem that has undoubtedly elevated on account of the pandemic, as faculties for the primary time in historical past needed to shut their doorways, younger folks spent extra time than ever with their households and away from their pals, and their studying and social lives moved on-line.
Throughout COVID, youngsters misplaced the true reference to their friends and subsequently the world, they felt remoted and misplaced their independence whereas having to cope with the conflicting emotions and ideas typical of adolescence.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the College of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill Faculty of Journalism.
