14/03/2022
Recipe to Su***de Among Youths Nowadays
The su***de attempt by a young man this weekend at Ikoyi link bridge in Lagos shows that many of the Nigerian youth are facing great deal of mental health challenge.You may want to ask ,why should one wants to take his or her life? Well, whatever may be the reasons are considered baseless.If you take your life , even though appropriate authorities shows concerns or not , you are at a total loss.
However, since many of the challenges young people face are outside of their control, we need a whole-of-society effort to support youth mental health and wellbeing.
That said, below are important steps young people themselves can take to protect, improve, and advocate for their mental health and that of their family, friends, and neighbors:
Remember that mental health challenges are real, common, and treatable.
Struggling with your mental health does not mean you are broken or that you did something wrong. Mental health is shaped by many factors, including biology and life experiences, and there are many ways mental health challenges can be addressed.
✓Ask for help. Find trusted adults, friends, or family members to talk to about stressful situations. For
example, if you or someone you know is being bullied, tell a trusted adult. If you are struggling to
manage negative emotions, reach out to a school nurse or counselor, a teacher, a parent or caregiver,
a coach, a faith leader, or someone else you look up to and trust.
✓Look into therapy or counseling
resources to get support when something causes distress and interferes with your life. Reaching out to others can be hard and takes courage, but it is worth the effort and reminds us we are not alone.
✓Invest in healthy relationships.
Social connection is a powerful buffer to stress and a source of
wellbeing. But too often in our fast-paced lives, quality time with people gets crowded out. Make
space in your life for the people you love.
✓Spend time with others regularly, in-person and virtually.
Find people who support and care about you and have open and honest conversations with them
about your feelings.
✓Get involved in group activities, such as recreation and outdoor activities, after-school programs, and mentorship programs.
✓Find ways to serve. Volunteering in your community and helping others can be a great way to connect with people, build a sense of purpose, and develop your own sense of self-worth.
✓Helping others when you are the one struggling can seem counterintuitive. But service is a powerful antidote to isolation, and it reminds us that we have value to add to the world.
Compiled by Fasinmirin Ebenezer
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