Is This Really, ‘The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’?
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of research on the rise of mental health issues among teenagers. But, the research also reports that this mental health crises becomes even worse during the holidays.
Driven by the technological age, social media, the breakup of the family, the division in government and politics, and a global pandemic, poor mental health in teenagers is rising.
In what should be the best days of a teenager‘s life, the teen years are becoming an adolescent nightmare.
And this month we are going to talk about mental health and total wellness around the holidays. A topic we have covered many times with our resources.
With this rise in poor teen mental health over the last few years, statistics have proven to us an alarming increase in poor mental health during the holidays. The holidays may not be “joy to the world“ or “the most wonderful time of the year” after all.
RESEARCH
You would think that Christmas and the holiday season would be a joyful time of the year. But all of the statistics prove just the opposite.
*In a recent American Psychological Association article, it was reported that 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season. The article also stated this depression can lead to physical illness, anxiety, and substance misuse.
*The reasons given for the increased depression included a lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. (Nov 14, 2021)
*The National Alliance in Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64% of people agreed the holiday season increases stress and depression.
*According to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Allstate Foundation (2020):
• Students feel UNCERTAIN, NERVOUS, and STRESSED about the present school situation in America
• Five years ago, Mental Health facilities were populated with only 19% of adolescents. Today, that number has risen to 39%.
• Suicide is now the third leading cause of death in 15-19 year-olds
Now, we live in America. You would think that would be a blessing. Certainly we live in the most blessed and free country in the world. And, furthermore, this Christmas and holiday season is normally looked upon as “merry and bright.” There is no school, there is a lot of shopping at the mall, secret Santa’s, and Christmas parties every week for a month.
Nevertheless, we must do something about the adolescent mental health situation we are in - the depression, anxiety, isolation, and ultimately suicide must become a focus of Next Gen leadership.
And this Holiday season is the perfect time to do something about it.
CAUSES
Even while living in America and during the Holidays, the reality of anxiety and depression still exists. We don’t have to look far to see some of the causes of societal anxiety of our youth.
1. The youth of the 21st Century have been born into terror
2. They know the financial disaster of the economy
3. Youth have witnessed the break-up of the family
4. A global health pandemic isolated humanity globally
5. An Information Age has changed the way youth do community and relationship
6. Youth have been raised in a national setting of governmental division
7. A lack of media censorship and control has demoralized our nation
8. Teenagers and young adults have been immersed in the unrealistic comparison environment of social media
9. An unprecedented sexual revolution crashed on the shore of America
10. Finally, the youth of today have lost the moral center of their theological faith that guides their worldview and ultimately their lifestyle
Beside these, there are many other causes to poor mental health.
It could be a chemical imbalance, family mental health history, or a PTSD that causes mental health issues in teenagers. Whatever the cause of poor mental health, the reality is that we have seen a rise in depression, and, ultimately, suicide in the Gen Z set.
SOLUTIONS
Let’s look at some solutions for mental health issues. It could be as simple as total personal wellness, or, as exhaustive as clinical counseling or admission to a Mental Health facility. Whatever it takes there is no shame in working on your mental health.
As mentioned above, mental health issues could spring from simply a stressful society, or, chemical imbalances in the physiology of a person.
So, let’s focus upon some practical helps for young people to counter the poor mental health and depression in this generation.
First, Health and Wellness
We must emphasize the importance of total wellness in the teenagers around us.
Life disciplines such as eating, exercise, sleep, a walk outdoors, or how we manage our relationships are all a part of total health and wellness. And these practices shape our thinking. A complete health and wellness regime contributes to balanced physiology in teenagers and ultimately to positive mental health.
Total health and wellness could be physiological, relational, or spiritual health. By taking care of our physical bodies, our social circles & friendships, and our spiritual formation we can combat anything that comes against us.
Second, the Family
We are not just raising a fatherless generation anymore. We are raising a fatherless, motherless, and sibling-less generation that has been separated by distance, technology, busyness, or the breakup of the family.
The family structure has been dis-integrated in our country. And when the home is broken, society is broken. The Home could be the place where we stop poor mental health!
Practical ideas like creating family dinners, having game nights, family recreation, and during Christmastime allowing children to have sleepovers in the absence of school. Or going to see Christmas lights or a Christmas show together are all easy and inexpensive activities for the family.
The Holidays are a perfect time to create a safe place like home and will help teenagers shape a better mental health in the most important surrounding of their life.
Third, Emotional Intelligence (EI)
A positive outlook is a powerful outcome.
Changing our thought patterns will change our language which changes our behavior. EI creates better self-awareness and respect for others, puts an end to negative talk, and helps teenagers do critical thinking instead of thinking critical.
We have promoted AI over EI. And that is a dangerous highlight in this generation. Why? Because we lose our own ability to think and let others think for us.
EI is developed by practicing a mindset of resilience, optimism, resolution, and, through healthy accountable family relationships. Emotional intelligence can be taught with consistent parental guidance, and conversations, and ultimately counseling if needed.
Fourth, The Sabbath (rest)
America falsely equates busyness with production. We need to slow teens and the family down.
Having a night off once a month, no-phone Fridays, no phones when we are in the car, or even unplugged mornings can be a stress relief. We don’t have to always be programming events and activities.
The regeneration that takes place by having bedtimes that are consistent is a simple way to affect the mental health of our children. Respecting the Sabbath is transformative to total health.
Finally
If we are going to combat the rising Mental Health issues in this generation, we must apply some of these simple principles to arrest the epidemic of depression and suicide happening all around us. These family practices will create a great change in the mental health of your home.
In what should be the greatest days in a teenagers life, we have too many statistics that are turning the adolescent dream into a nightmare.
A thorough application of these practices will turn the tide of poor Mental Health that is crashing onto the shores of our nation’s youth.
Resources:
Please see our resource page on this site if you need help. There is immediate help for your mental health crises at several links.