What are the unspoken struggles and mental health issues of youths?
Ann Gunapalan, a registered counsellor with the Malaysian Board of Counsellors, a therapist in a counselling private practice, and a counsellor of St Mary’s Cathedral, as well as Rubina Henry, a student of the Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation (CCEF), shared invaluable insights with Joanne Liaw on caring for the mental health of our youths.
The Unsettling Tension Between Childhood and Adulthood
Youths often feel misunderstood. Adults tend to treat them as children and do not recognise that they do have a certain level of maturity.
“Youths are at an in-between stage where they are children, but are on their way to becoming adults. They are at a stage of establishing their identity,” Ann says.
Unspoken Struggles and Mental Illnesses
They have unspoken struggles that could potentially affect their mental health. Unresolved struggles give rise to prolonged stress that could make them more vulnerable to mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
“Many mental illnesses are likely to emerge in adolescence, due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors,” Rubina explains.
Youths may be experiencing struggles at the school where they are exposed to peer pressure, bullying and unrealistic expectations of their academic performance. They may be struggling at home with family conflicts, neglect, abuse, and/or trauma. These factors could lead to a negative self-image, self-hatred, and self-destructive behaviour.
“Most problems stem from relationships. If youths have other preexisting problems, the absence of supportive relationships just makes everything worse,” Ann says.
“Healthy relationships with parents, siblings, peers, and support groups (school, social, and church), as well as aspects of healthy living (regular exercise, and healthy sleeping and eating habits), can help youths manage stress triggers better,” Rubina adds.
How can the Church be Caring for the Mental Health of Our Youths?
Let us hear from the St Mary’s youths themselves:
“In youth fellowship, it is good that our leaders recognise that we are beings who are able to think at a certain level of maturity. But that is often not the case with the wider church community. They need to recognise that.”
“Perhaps the church could take notice of what we say? Our opinions may not always be right, but taking us seriously would help us to know that we matter.”
“We would love to play a bigger part in serving at church with the adults on Sundays, especially in things we love, like music.”
Rubina concludes, “The church is God’s family and an extension of a youth’s own biological family. The church can be a safe space for youths to talk about their struggles without being judged. Just as Jesus loved us unconditionally, we too can express love and care for one another. The church can give youths a healthy environment by:
- being intentional about building a vision of who God is
- facilitating cross-generational relationships
- involving youths in service and integrating services
- providing a supportive community for youths and their families
- training counsellors to provide counselling services to young people and to equip parents and youth leaders to do likewise.”
Personal Reflection
Are our hearts attentive to
A youth’s unspoken struggles?
What trials is he going through?
What are her hurts and troubles?
The Church is God’s family
The Church should be a safe place
For youths to find empathy
Nourishment and saving grace