Causes and Ways to alleviate the dangers of mental health issues

Introduction

The Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2023 highlights children as one of society's most vulnerable
population groups, including them in risk reduction and adaptive capacity strengthening strategies.
Filipinos under the age of 18 account for roughly 40% of the total Philippine population. Despite the fact
that a large portion of the Philippine population has been designated as vulnerable, issues involving
them continue to exist and go unaddressed.

Among Filipino children aged 5 to 15, 10% to 15% are affected by mental health problems. According to
the World Health Organization (WHO), 16.8% of Filipino students aged 13 to 17 have attempted suicide
at least once Y7within a year before the 2015 Global School-based Student Health survey. This is just
one of the many indicators showing the state of mental health of these children. These statistics
involving children’s mental health are concerning as childhood is a crucial period where most mental
health disorders begin. Efforts should be made to identify these issues early for proper treatment in
prevention of negative health and social outcomes. So, what could be the main cause for mental health
issues on teenagers? what are the dangers it comes with? What are ways to alleviate or to relieve the
young minds that are facing it?

Body

Physical, emotional, social changes, including exposure to poverty, pressure to conform with peers,
exploration of identity, abuse, or violence, can make us adolescents vulnerable to mental health
problems. Media influence and gender norms can also worsen the diversity between an adolescent’s
lived reality and their perceptions or aspirations for the future. Some adolescents are also at greater risk
of mental health conditions due to their living conditions, stigma, discrimination or exclusion, or lack of
access to quality support and services. Our minds are fragile, especially as we go through puberty. We
become more sensitive on almost everything. The smallest, tiniest thing can have the biggest impact on
us. Not to mention the dangers it comes with.

Examples of these dangers are Emotional Disorders

Adolescents are prone to emotional problems. Anxiety disorders (which may include panic or excessive
worry) are the most common in this age group, and they are more common in older adolescents than in
younger adolescents. It is estimated that 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and 4.6% of 15-19 year-olds
experience an anxiety disorder. Depression is estimated to occur among 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-14
years, and 2.8% of 15-19-year-olds. Depression and anxiety share some of the same symptoms,
including rapid and unexpected changes in mood.

Anxiety and clinical depression can have a significant impact on school attendance and performance.
Isolation and loneliness can be exacerbated by social withdrawal. Depression can lead to a gruesome
suicide.

Behavioral disorders are also an example of the dangers. Behavioral disorders are more common among
younger adolescents than older adolescents. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
characterized by difficulty paying attention, excessive activity and acting without regard to
consequences, occurs among 3.1% of 10-14 year-olds and 2.4% of 15-19 year-olds. Conduct disorder
(involving symptoms of destructive or challenging behavior) occurs among 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and
2.4% of 15-19 year-olds. Behavioral disorders can affect adolescents’ education and conduct disorder
may result in criminal behavior.

Eating disorders, Psychosis, Suicide and Self-harm, Risk taking behaviors are just some more examples of
its danger.

Now for the big question, what are ways to alleviate or to relieve the young minds that are facing
mental health issues?

First,

1.Talk to someone you trust

Talking to someone you trust, whether a friend, family member, or coworker, can be beneficial. You may
feel better if you can openly share your feelings with someone who cares about you. If you live in an
area where face-to-face interactions are restricted, you can still communicate with your loved ones via
video call, phone call, or messaging app.

2. Take care of your physical health.

Taking care of your physical health benefits your mental and emotional health. Engage in some form of
physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day, such as running, walking, yoga, dancing, cycling, or even
gardening. Consume a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Make an effort to get enough sleep.
3. Do activities that you enjoy

Continue trying to do activities that you find meaningful and enjoyable, such as cooking for yourself or a
loved one, playing with your pet, walking in the park, reading a book, or watching a movie or TV series.
Regular activities that make you happy can help you maintain good mental health.

4. Avoid contaminants

Do not use drugs, kava, alcohol, tobacco or other harmful substances to deal with your feelings.

These seem to make you feel better in the short term, but they can make you feel worse in the long
term. These substances are also dangerous and can put you and those around you at risk of illness and
injury.

5. Focus on the world around you for two minutes

Help free yourself from the constant swirl of thoughts by reconnecting to where you are. Ask yourself
these questions:

What are five things I can see?

What are four things I can hear?

What are 2 things I can smell?

What does it feel like to touch my knees or something else I can reach?

How many people did talk to me today?

These will help you or us be aware of our surrounding and distract us from the intrusive thoughts that
we have.

6. Seek professional help

If you feel like you can't handle the stress you're experiencing, call your local mental health service or
contact a counselor or doctor for professional help. Remember you are not alone. There are things you
can do to support your emotional health.

Conclusion

The mental health status of children in the Philippines is already in trouble due to the pandemic and the
added by the government's lack of adequate mental health policies. While there is no cure to this
accursed problem always try remember that there are things that we can do to lessen the heat of the
issues. The key to beating mental health issues or rather to being better lies from ourselves. We hold the
solution to having a healthy physical and mental as well as emotional well-being. Always remember that
the mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body and regulates the functioning of all other
organs. When our mind becomes unstable, it affects the entire functioning of our body. Therefore, it's
important for everyone to balance their mental and physical health and get the help they need when
one or the other gets stuck.

Citation and References

1. Philippine statistics authority -- republic of the Philippines. Available from:

https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/children. Accessed May 18, 2021.

2. Situation Analysis of Children in the Philippines: A Summary Report [Internet]. UNICEF Philippines;
2018. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media/556/file. Accessed May 18, 2021.

3. Global school-based student survey: Philippines 2015 fact sheet. World Health Organization. 2015.
Available from: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/PIH2015_fact_sheet.pdf. Accessed Jan 9,
2021.

4. Adolescents mental health - World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/news-

room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

5. 6 ways to take care of your mental health and well-being this World Mental Health Day
https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/how-we-work/pacific-support/news/detail/07-10-2021-6-
ways-to-take-care-of-your-mental-health-and-well-being-this-world-mental-health-day