It is that time of year again when our children and young people face the pressures of their end of year exams. However, we must consider the importance of adolescent mental health and wellbeing as we hit the end of the year and exam crunch time. Particularly as our youth are facing their first-year end post the Covid-19 crisis, which placed many of our children and young people into a two-year period of social isolation and promoted a more sedentary lifestyle, which has incurred the increased risk of adolescent mental health disorders.

A 2018 study found that South African adolescents are amid a mental health crisis. The study found that 24% of youth from Grades 8 to 11 struggle with feelings of hopelessness, depression, and sadness. A further finding indicated that 21% of adolescents in this age band have attempted suicide. The finding highlights the fact that there are many teens dealing with real mental health issues which go untreated or are not detected at all. This is a continuing issue in South Africa, as many of the issues facing adolescents include depression, anxiety, trauma, stress and many other mood disorders. On top of this baseline of conditions experienced by youth in South Africa, we then must also be aware of the societal conditions in South Africa which can greatly increase youth mental health risks.

Challenges faced by South African Youth

• Poverty and Crime
• Obstacles to equal education
• High levels of youth substance abuse
• High levels of youth unemployment sitting at 63.9% (2022) for youth aged between 15 and 24 which has become a leading cause of youth living in poverty, resorting to criminal activity, and high levels of substance abuse
• A fact that only 45% of Grade 1s will write their matric exams

Changes to help good mental wellbeing

Having good mental health and well-being determines an individual’s ability to cope with life challenges. To help our young people manage their challenges, as parents and caregivers, it is important that we help our children, teens and young people develop the mental resilience to be able to face life’s stressors. There are ways that we can assist our children, mainly in a two-fold manner. Firstly, to get involved and engage with our youth, we need to educate ourselves on the warning signs in children and teens on mental distress and further mental illness, so we know what to look out for.

6 changes to look out for in adolescents

1. Mood Changes – look for continued and prolonged feelings of sadness and withdrawal, often withdrawal from activities previously enjoyed by your child, that last longer than two weeks. Keep a further eye out for extreme and dramatic mood swings that can be causing problems in your child’s inter-personal relationships with friends and family.
2. Behaviour Changes – look for drastic changes in behaviour or personality, including out of control behaviours, and instigating arguments and fights. Further extreme warning signs are desires to cause harm to animals or others.
3. Self-Harming Behaviour – look for Self-injury also known as self-harm activity. This is the deliberate act of harming one’s own body, often seen as cutting or burning themselves.
4. Intense Feelings – Be aware of intense feelings of overwhelm with no reason, include fast breathing, a racing heartrate and panic attacks. Other emotions to look out for are extreme fearfulness which interfere with daily activities.
5. Unexplained Weight Loss – look for a sudden loss of appetite, forced and frequent vomiting, particularly after meals or the use of a laxative may be an indicator or an eating disorder.
6. Physical Symptoms – look for continued episodes of headaches, stomachaches, vomiting and loss of hair, rather than just mood related indicators of depression, anxiety and sadness, as this can be a further indicator of an underlying mental health condition.

Additionally, we as parents and caregivers, need to make sure that we are available and supportive in a non-judgmental way, as open pathways for communication allows for safety and security for youth to vocally express their issues, and further encourage positive approaches to mental wellbeing.

Positive actions for good mental wellbeing

• Encourage and foster good physical health, as physical wellbeing has the greatest positive impact on one’s mental wellbeing. This includes regular exercise and physical activity.
• Following a balanced diet, eating 3 meals a day, with healthy snacks, include servings of fruit and vegetables, and foods high in fibre. Drinking water and reducing the consumption of drinks high in sugar.
• Getting outdoors, as fresh air and vitamin D are key for physical and mental health.
• Encouraging our youth to get off devices, as reducing screentime aids in better sleep, improved focus, a reduction in levels of aggression, lower body mass index, and increasing imagination.
• Getting enough sleep, getting between 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day, as sleep helps regulate bodily function, maintain physical health, aids in school performance and aids in the regulation of emotional wellbeing.

There is an undeniable link between the body and the mind, and it has been clearly indicated that when we take care of one, the other naturally benefits. It is key that the support of family is fundamental to managing good mental health.

NMG Consultants and Actuaries is an Authorised financial services providers t/a NMG Benefits.

The content in this communication is for information purposes and is not intended to be detailed advice, you should seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.