What's going on in your head?

Do you ever feel sad, angry, upset, or in a total loss of control? Everyone has moments where their mental health isn’t 100%, which is completely normal. The Fondation Jeune en Tête defines mental health as a state of emotional and mental well-being with oneself (self-esteem or self-identity), others (friends, family, etc.), and their environment (school, home life, etc.). It’s important to keep a balance between all three in order to feel well.

 

Here are some tips from the Fondation Jeune en Tête on maintaining this balance:

 

Remember to get enough sleep

Sometimes, it’s difficult to go to sleep early because we want to watch TV, talk to our friends, or play video games. However, going to bed early allows us to have better concentration, memory, and feelings of happiness. Sleeping for 8-10 hours also allows us to have a better day.

 

Take care of yourself

Regularly exercising and eating well will help you feel better about yourself and your body.

 

Step away from the screen

Sometimes, social media and video games can prevent us from concentrating. Social media also hinder us from spending time with our friends because we’re too concerned with what’s happening on our phones. It’s important to have a personal limit on how much time is spent on social media or playing video games.

 

What can I do when I don’t feel great?

1. Stop, take a moment, and ask yourself what’s going on. Observe your thoughts, emotions, and physical state of well-being.

2. Practice mindfulness or meditation. Focus on being in the moment. Oftentimes, we don’t feel great, or we feel stressed because we’re focused on the past or the future.

3. Talk about it with a loved one, like your parents, a friend, or a teacher.

4. Additionally, you can speak to a health care professional if needed, such as your doctor, a nurse, psychotherapist, social worker, psychologist, etc.

 

Why is it important to take care of your mental health?

During adolescence, we often have difficulty managing our emotions due to the various changes that take place during this period. Some teenagers have a hard time living and managing school pressures, physical changes, or their relationships with others. This can cause anxiety and even lead to depression. By learning how to take care of your mental health at a young age, you’re taking all the measures needed to overcome and react positively towards any challenges you may face. Taking care of your mental health also gives you the best chances in maintaining the positive relationships with those around you, loving yourself, developing an amicable personality, and preventing any mental health problems.

 

What is the difference between mental health and mental disorders?

Mental health is a state of well-being where a person can take care of themselves daily. On the other hand, mental disorders are characterized by a period of difficulty where changes happen in the brain and affect our mood, thoughts, and behaviour. In the long term, those who have a mental disorder have difficulty functioning and may develop psychological stress.

 

Did you know?

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 50% of mental health disorders appear before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 22. This means we should try to prevent these challenges from a young age!

• According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of mental illness and disability in adolescents. This means we need to take care of our mental health!

• Around 75% of teenagers suffering from depression choose to stay quiet out of fear of being judged. Talk to someone you trust; you are not alone!

• Nowadays, between 80 to 90% of people with depression can be effectively treated with medication or psychotherapy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

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