Human wellbeing entails health as an integral aspect of wellness. Mental health which simply is the lack of mental disorder describes psychological excellence. It is the expression of the varied emotions while signifying the successful adjustment to the numerous demands. The distinctive types of problems in mental health include: bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder among others. WHO studies, reveal that almost half of the total world's population possess some kind of mental illness that effects on their relationships, self-esteem, and capacity to function effectively in their life (Sawyer et.al, 2007, p. 43). Someone’s emotional health directly affects their physical health greatly. Also, deprived mental health in general can bring about substance abuse especially in teenagers.
Maintaining perfect mental health in everyone is paramount to ensuring a long, healthy life. It is an established fact that perfect mental health plays a major role in enhancing an individual’s life, while bad mental health in people, especially teenagers can tremendously stop someone from getting an inspiring life. There is mounting evidence linking emotional abilities with the portrayed pro-social traits such as physical health and stress management (Sawyer et. al, 2007, p. 43). People lacking effective emotional expression find themselves disposed to anti-social traits. These traits tendencies directly reflect their condition of mental health. In many instances, especially among teenagers, due to unstable mental health, Self-destructive actions normally occur to conveniently hold back the emotions. These actions may include vandalism, drug abuse, physical fights and also indulging in alcohol.
According to the article on tormented teenagers, worrying trends reveal the reality of mental illness in teenagers. Mental health complications may lead to reckless sexual behavior in adolescents. This is because of lack of self-worth and respect; they therefore think that if they direct their frustrations to casual sex, then maybe they will sooth their deflated ego. Mental disorders at some extend may cause confusion in the teen sexual orientation. In the search of self-identity, those likely to be gay or lesbians may be most affected by mental illness such as depression and stress because of societal alienation making them think of suicide at some point (Amazan, 2006, p. 20). In cases of teen depression, anxiety and other mental illness, it is seen that most girls get unwanted pregnancies or are infected with an STI (Amazan, 2006, p. 24). The hyper-activated sexuality in teens which leads them to have a lot of casual sex makes them lack the ability of maintaining a serious relationship and making them future single parents.
Public policy goes hand in hand with the public health situation. According to the ‘daily telegraph’ (2009), Australia’s negligence or lack of lifting the overall life expectancy in mental health patients has negative impacts to the society in general. It is observed that the life expectancy of those suffering from mental illness ranges from 15 to 20 years lower than the other normal Australians. Efforts of mitigating the problem of mental health are heavily felt in the economy in that, mind and brain diseases presses a cost to the economy of Australia about 190 billion dollars annually (Bruce, 2013, p. 3). Some of the mental conditions are treatable while others are not, it is therefore important to prevent the potential mental conditions that could possibly occur in teens so as to have a healthy and successful nation. Having good communication in an honest and open way can help the parent avert negative impacts of possible mental illness in the child and improve their self esteem making them to never think of committing suicide.
The causes of mental illness in teenagers may vary and if not handled well can lead to desperation or eventual suicide. Some of the mental conditions may be due to biological reasons such as abnormal neurotransmitter balance. Also, injury or defects in the brain can cause the mental illness (Caldwell et.al, 2009, p.55). Psychological trauma is another prevalent cause of teenage mental illness; this may be due to some form of trauma experienced as a child or in their lifetime. It could be in the form of sexual abuse, physical abuse and severe emotional abuse. Also neglect or the demise of a parent may attribute to the mental condition. This can also be closely linked to the other, causing factor which is the environmental stresses. It is believed that certain stresses can negatively affect the psychological well being of teenagers and hamper on their development.
Parental divorce causes anxiety and stress that can welcome other mental conditions. Substance abuse, dysfunctional family and consistent changing of schools leaves the teenager to suffer psychological torment and this can cause the entry of mental illnesses (Schwartz, 2013, p. 63). Genetics is another factor attributing to mental illness that is prevalent among teenagers. However, it is not guaranteed that if one’s parents suffers from a particular mental illness that automatically the child will possess one but rather it can come out or not.
Teenagers encounter a myriad of pressures, either from puberty developmental changes to questions on self-awareness or identity and whether they conveniently fit in. Natural shift from childhood to teenage-hood can erupt parental conflict since teens begin to assert and explore their independence. This brings psychological impacts such as depression whereby some teens contemplate suicide as the only option to escape the mental torment. Depressed teens further complicate matters when they withdraw from people. Some symptoms seen from depression are; aggression, irritability, and low self esteem.
Environmental factors of mental disorder such as divorce directly affect teens in their normal social life. They may experience problems, especially in school such as rebellion, bad grades and frustration in schoolwork and life. Teenage suicidal thoughts should not be assumed to be bluffing, but rather should be taken seriously so avert potential deaths. For the vast mainstream of suicidal adolescents, depression or other psychological diseases plays a major role. In those depressed teens abusing alcohol or indulging in drugs, suicide risk becomes even much greater. Studies show mental disorders comprising the greatest source of disability in Australia, this account for around 24 percent of the entire years lost because of disability. Teens with problems in their mental health, reported a relatively higher rate of negative suicidal thoughts among them, and other behavior, that poses a risk to their health including drug use, smoking and drinking. 12 percent of teens around 13 to 17 years think about suicide at some time in their lives, while 4.2 percent actually attempted suicide. 14 percent of the children in Australia aged 4 to 17 possess mental health and consequential behavioral problems (Heinonen and Metteri, 2005).
The rampant high rates of mental disorders among teens can be as a result of toxic exposures such as excessive vaccinations, contact with pollutants, prescription drugs and heavy metals. High toxic percentages in the body may subject the brain to mental illnesses. This can affect the individual knowingly or even unknowingly. Electromagnetic fields either from Wi-Fi, electrical outlets and cell phones potentiates the creation of endotoxins and toxic microbes that leads to autism (Elder et.al, 2012, p.21). In a healthy brain development, the presence of these electromagnetic waves can bring about mental problems. Nutritional deficiency on the other hand can cause mental disorders. The deficiency of vitamin D for example inhibits optimal brain development, therefore causing negative health impacts to the individual concern. Finally, Lyme disease or hidden infections, which tend to be common in children, can cause mental dysfunction and affect the mental health.
Adolescence stage in a teenager’s life is usually risky period as they undergo various changes in preparation for maturity a state which involves self-discovery and experimentation where some end up in use of drugs such as alcohol, cannabis and heroine due to peer pressure where they are forced or try out the drugs on their own so as to have an experience of what their peers are and also so that they can fit in groups of those who already take the drugs who in most cases are viewed as cool and popular (Singh et.al, 2009, p.21). Some use the drugs as a way of suppressing their emotions especially at this adolescent stage where they can’t explain the physiological changes happening. Lack of strong family relationships also lead to the teenagers’ use of drugs. Constant parent fights or separation leads to lack of close parental attention in their children leading to their use of drugs going unnoticed.
Use of these drugs leads to mental health problems such as depression where their body functions such as the brain and moods are affected making them withdrawn and antisocial which could lead to self-inflicted harm or suicidal thoughts, sadness and even guilt for taking the drugs (Rey et.al, 2002, p.19). Schizophrenia is a situation where the brain is sick hence affecting the way a person views things, and their behavior. It can also occur as result to excessive use of drugs where one is unable to control their emotions, hallucinates, one hears voices which are imagined, have poor hygiene and are disorganized. Stress can also occur; stress occurs when the body’s reacts to various situations .Use of drugs leads to stress levels being very high hence affecting your mental health as one is always in need of more drugs to maintain the short-term effect which you enjoy but as it wears out anxiety, uncontrollable moods may occur making one more stressed (Jones et.al 2012, p.78).
Being emotionally and mentally healthy by all means does not exclude the occurrence of life that we are incapable of controlling. Since people that are mentally or emotionally healthy possess the adequate tools for adopting with intricate situations and retaining a positive stance in remaining creative, focused and flexible at all times. In efforts of improving emotional-mental health of the populace, the root-cause of the problem has to be solved. Prevention accentuates the forestalling of threat factors; promotion tries to improve the ability of an individual to accomplish a positive social inclusion, mastery, self-esteem and wellbeing (Caldwell et.al, 2004, p.55). It is imperative to enhance one’s emotional-mental health wellness by neighboring yourself with adequately positive relationships. Another way of enhancing the mental-emotional health wellness is taking part in actions which allows relaxation and self reflection.
Mental health as shown in the essay proves that emotional wellbeing is significant in ensuring the general mental health. It should be the role of the parents and society to facilitate increased teenager’s mental wellbeing by ensuring they have strong social structures such as the family to help them overcome the various social issues which leads to poor mental health. Children are more vulnerable to mental disorders more than adults therefore the need for closer care for children. Even with the alarming statistics on the issue, the government should make efforts of improving the conditions as seen in Australia.
References:
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tragedy-of-tormented-teenagers-mental-illness-hits- one-in-four/story-fni0cx12-1226693862582
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