ovarian cancer Stages and Treatment

 

depression and anxiety in Adolescence 

Depression and anxiety during adolescence 

Teenagers find it easier to talk about mental problems, such as anxiety, depression, or suicidal desire, with someone their age. Whatever relationship they have with adults, they will confide in them less easily for fear of being judged.

 Adolescence is a pivotal time in life that has its share of concerns. In this confused time, it's not uncommon for teens to experience mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or to express thoughts of suicide. In one study, researchers at the University of Michigan (United States) found that the best way for a teenager to talk about his disorder is ... another teenager. The results of their study were published on Mott Poll Reports.

 Teenagers trust each other 

To find out, the researchers relied on a national survey of 1,000 parents of adolescents aged 13 to 18. According to their results, three-quarters of parents believe that adolescents understand each other better, that they will find more sympathetic listening in their peers than can ever be offered to them by teachers or school counselors. Likewise, the majority of parents also agree that school teams should encourage teens more to talk to someone about their mental health issues.

“Peers can provide invaluable support to their adolescent peers who are struggling with emotional issues because they can get along with each other,” says Sarah Clark, co-director of the Mott survey. Some teens may fear that their parents are overreacting or not understanding what they are going through. Teachers and school counselors may also have limited time to speak with students amid other responsibilities. ”

Previous studies on the subject already suggested that half of children and adolescents with mental disorders did not receive treatment because of these barriers. However, adolescents who do not have a diagnosed condition may still occasionally have emotional problems, relationships with friends and family, anxiety, difficulty in school, substance abuse, which affects their health. believesThey have of themselves

 

A program that appeals to parents

In the United States, some schools have established peer support facilitators to provide safe channels for adolescents to share their problems. In this program, adolescents who serve as mentors were trained by teachers, school counselors and health professionals. “We've seen good examples of school programs that prepare teens to listen and identify the warning signs of suicide or other serious problems,” says Clark. The role of support mentors is to listen, suggest problem-solving strategies, share information about resources, and, where appropriate, encourage fellow students to seek help. The most essential task is to spot signs that suggest the student needs immediate attention and alert the adults overseeing the program. While this does not replace the need for professional support, these programs provide a non-threatening way for young people to start solving their problems. ”

Despite this, parents, often distraught with their children in this age group, have confidence in such a system. Thus, 38% of them think of consulting a mentor for support in the event that their child is facing mental health problems. However, this trust is not blind since 62% of parents worry about whether the mentor would keep their teenager's information confidential, or even if they would be able to tell if their  needs immediate help. crisis (53%).

Finally, overall, a quarter of the parents questioned called for this system to be generalized in schools, and 64% would allow their children to themselves become mentors to help their peers. “This suggests that parental support increases once they understand how peer support programs work,” Clark concludes. Most parents agree with the rationale for peer support programs but may be unsure until they see how they work and benefit students. ”