Young people are talking about mental health. We should listen.
Last month, the Y hosted a virtual panel with five incredible young adults who shared their experiences navigating mental health. They covered everything from strategies they lean on when they’re feeling down to how they’d like to see schools and organizations show up in the mental health space.
We hosted the event with our partner The Joy Labs because at the Y, we believe having honest conversations like these is essential to normalizing the fact that we all have mental health--it’s how we think, feel and act.
Young people today understand this better than any previous generation, and the rest of us stand to learn a lot from them and their approach to caring for their own mental health and the mental health of those around them.
Why They’re Talking About It
The past few years have been challenging for most of us, and especially for young people. The combination of pandemic trauma, remote learning and social distancing, and social unrest and polarization has led to more stress and isolation and less social development. Isolation and loneliness are so detrimental to our mental health that the U.S. Surgeon General recently released an advisory stating they have become a “major public health concern.”
Many young people are dealing with this laundry list of challenges, in part, by acknowledging and nurturing their mental well-being. They are being vulnerable and honest about their experiences, listening to one another with compassion and intentionally building supportive relationships where talking about their mental state is the norm.
They are changing how we talk about mental health and creating an open atmosphere of encouragement, acceptance and empathy. #Mentalhealth has more than 78.7 billion views on TikTok, and some of today’s biggest Gen Z stars talk about their mental health regularly in a way that few others have done before them.
Unconventional Content Creator | Brand Catalyst | Strategic Marketing Innovator | Digital Transformation Enthusiast | Proficient Public Speaker | Efficient Project Manager | Curator of Research Insights
1yMental Health: Fueling Youth's Dream Pursuit Nurturing mental health is vital for ambitious youth chasing their dreams. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support, building resilience, embracing authenticity, and conquering fear, they unlock their potential and pave the way for a fulfilling journey toward success. Nurturing Mental Health: Prioritize mental well-being through self-care activities that bring joy and peace, ensuring resilience and preventing burnout. Seeking Support: Build a supportive network that believes in you, providing guidance and encouragement throughout your journey. Building Resilience: Embrace failures as learning opportunities, cultivate a positive mindset, and bounce back stronger when faced with setbacks. Embracing Authenticity: Stay true to yourself, celebrate your unique qualities, and align your dreams with your core values. Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt: Challenge limiting beliefs, step outside your comfort zone and embrace fear as a catalyst for growth.
Y-USA Mental Health Advocate | ISU Legal Studies Student
1yI am so thankful for YMCA of the USA (National Resource Office)’s support of youth voices, especially regarding mental health! It was an honor to be a participant on this panel, as well as learn from my peers across the nation.
AVP, Corporate Social Responsibility at Unum
1yThis is great Suzanne! We need to keep finding ways to elevate their voices and support them with executing their ideas. Love this and all that you continue to do!
Disability Advocate, University Instructor, Consultant
1ySo important and so needed!!