Navigating Mental Health Crisis in Young Adults after Pandemic

Mental health has always been a concern for young adults, but now after the pandemic it is becoming increasingly acute. In this difficult time, millions of people around the world not only feel stressed and scared, but also suffer from depression and are prone to mental health crisis. While this situation might seem hopeless, there are a number of methods, both self-care and professional help, that can be used to cope with mental health issues.

The constant changes and uncertainty of the modern world make it difficult for young people to cope with the pressure that comes from all directions. But even before the pandemic, teenagers struggled with mental health issues, especially during the transition period when they're supposed to mature, develop relationships with peers and plan their future.

Depression, anxiety, and even psychosis can manifest themselves in young adults. Unfortunately, these issues often remain unspoken, as many teens feel ashamed to seek out help for their mental health crisis. Others might unknowingly choose more dangerous behaviors, such as self-medication or substance abuse, in an attempt to numbing their pain.

However, preventing a mental health crisis in young adults is possible, and requires early intervention. The first step is to understand the signs and risk factors that indicate that person is likely to experience psychological issues. Bullying, isolation, family problems, or even genetic predispositions can be an underlying cause of mental ill-health. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can allow teenagers to cope with the increasing demands of their age.

For teenagers experiencing their first emotional turmoil, talking therapy, an open dialog with friends, family and trusted adults, is essential to find positive ways to express their emotions. Support services for young people can be helpful as well, as it allows them to feel included and less isolated. It's also important to focus on developing healthy coping skills and managing intense stress, even through meditation and yoga.

It’s also of vital importance that parents, teachers, counselors and other trusted adults are open to hearing young people’s problems and worries. It can help remove some of the fear and stigma attached to mental health crisis and encourage them to speak out. An empathetic environment is necessary so that young adults can finally take a step towards rediscovering social pleasure, positive relationships and personal meaning.

Mental health crisis is unfortunately reality for many young adults, and although more and more attention is being raised to the issue, the isolation imposed by the pandemic only exacerbates the problem. Young adults must know that hope exists and assistance is available, in order to rebuild and rediscover their mental balance.