Millions of teens struggle to deal with Psychological health and social pressures, it has been claimed.
A survey of 1,000 teens showed that 31 percent of them struggled with their mental health, and they felt that way for more than two years on average.
And 56 percent of them felt anxious on a regular basis, with social media and the rising cost of living to blame.
The average teen also appears to feel anxious for the equivalent of nine days each month.
As a result, they used techniques such as breathing, talking to a loved one, and exercise to keep their minds off.
According to research by mental health app Headspace, journaling, listening to podcasts, and meditating were other ways to calm their mental health.
But 89 percent of those who struggled with their mental health were in a situation where they needed help with their health but weren’t sure how to access that support.
And 13 percent felt unsupported by the people around them and professionals.
It also emerged that 31 percent of all teens surveyed had signed up to receive support regarding their health, but had been on the waiting list for more than five months on average.
This has led to calls for more support groups for teens (27 percent), well-being classes at school (25 percent), meditation workshops (21 percent) and the opportunity to skip school when they feel low (24 percent).
Sam Snowden, Headspace Mindfulness Instructor, said: “It’s important to remember that teens don’t have the tools to navigate the highs and lows of life.
“When experiencing very difficult feelings for the first time, they may assume that this is how life is going to move forward.
This can be dangerous because they may start believing negative thoughts like ‘Nothing matters’ and ‘Things will never get better.
“It is up to us as adults to get the help teens need by connecting them with skilled, empathetic mental health providers and peer support.”
The study also found that 51 percent of those surveyed believed that stress at school, university and their workplace had negatively affected their mental health.
But 16 percent admitted that this affected their homework, while 15 percent thought it affected their friendships.
To deal with this, 84 percent of those with mental health issues felt comfortable talking to their friends about their health.
And 38 percent view their friends and family as role models for mental health, according to a survey by OnePoll.
However, two in 10 said they had no one to look for in regards to mental health support.
It also appeared that 62 percent would like to learn more about ways to relieve stress, with 61 percent unaware of the potential benefits of meditation and mindfulness.
Snowden added: “It is promising that teens will show more openness and acceptance of mental health issues, reducing the stigma and secrecy surrounding them.
“However, it is alarming to know how difficult it is to navigate a mental health system that may require staying on a waiting list for weeks or months before receiving care.
“Talking to family and friends is incredibly helpful as teens know that they don’t have to suffer alone and that they are surrounded by people who want to help and listen with empathy.
“Practicing mindfulness tools helps reduce rumination and helps teens notice difficult ideas with openness and self-compassion rather than self-criticism and repression.”
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