Research into
Mental health in young people
Mental health is such an important subject especially in young minds today.
With social media being an extension of most teens and young adults lives, it is important to know how to behave online as it is in public but also how to deal with hate when approached with it.
With social media being an extension of most teens and young adults lives, it is important to know how to behave online as it is in public but also how to deal with hate when approached with it.
Social Media
How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers
Rachel Ehmke stated in the Child Mind Institute on October 26, 2022 that some experts worry that teens are more anxious and have lower self-esteem because of social media and texting. There are key differences to socialising online. Teens miss out on things like body language and facial expressions. This can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It can also make talking in person feel more intimidating. It is also common for kids to feel bad about themselves when they see everyone online looking perfect. Teens often try to compensate by sharing pictures that make them look perfect, too. Then, when their social media identity doesn’t match how they actually feel, they can end up feeling worse.
Parents can help by setting a good example of how to use tech. Try to give kids your full attention when you are with them, and establish tech-free zones in in the house and tech-free hours when no one is on their phones.
To help build self-esteem, get kids involved in something they’re interested in. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they’re happier.
Parents can help by setting a good example of how to use tech. Try to give kids your full attention when you are with them, and establish tech-free zones in in the house and tech-free hours when no one is on their phones.
To help build self-esteem, get kids involved in something they’re interested in. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they’re happier.
Indirect communication
Teens are masters at keeping themselves occupied in the hours after school until way past bedtime. When they’re not doing their homework (and when they are) they’re online and on their phones, texting, sharing, trolling, scrolling, you name it. Of course before everyone had an Instagram account teens kept themselves busy, too, but they were more likely to do their chatting on the phone, or in person when hanging out at the mall. It may have looked like a lot of aimless hanging around, but what they were doing was experimenting, trying out skills, and succeeding and failing in tons of tiny real-time interactions that kids today are missing out on. For one thing, modern teens are learning to do most of their communication while looking at a screen, not another person
Stalking (and being ignored)
Another big change that has come with new technology and especially smart phones is that we are never really alone. Kids update their status, share what they’re watching, listening to, and reading, and have apps that let their friends know their specific location on a map at all times. Even if a person isn’t trying to keep his friends updated, he’s still never out of reach of a text message. The result is that kids feel hyperconnected with each other. The conversation never needs to stop, and it feels like there’s always something new happening. It’s also surprisingly easy to feel lonely in the middle of all that hyperconnection. For one thing, kids now know with depressing certainty when they’re being ignored. We all have phones and we all respond to things pretty quickly, so when you’re waiting for a response that doesn’t come, the silence can be deafening. The silent treatment might be a strategic insult or just the unfortunate side effect of an online adolescent relationship that starts out intensely but then fades away. Kids are often left imagining the worst about themselves. But even when the conversation doesn’t end, being in a constant state of waiting can still provoke anxiety. We can feel ourselves being put on the back burner, we put others back there, and our very human need to communicate is effectively delegated there, too.
What should parents do?
Both experts interviewed for this article agreed that the best thing parents can do to minimize the risks associated with technology is to curtail their own consumption first. It’s up to parents to set a good example of what healthy computer usage looks like. Most of us check our phones or our email too much, out of either real interest or nervous habit. Kids should be used to seeing our faces, not our heads bent over a screen. Establish technology-free zones in the house and technology-free hours when no one uses the phone, including mom and dad. “Don’t walk in the door after work in the middle of a conversation,” Dr. Steiner-Adair advises. “Don’t walk in the door after work, say ‘hi’ quickly, and then ‘just check your email.’ In the morning, get up a half hour earlier than your kids and check your email then. Give them your full attention until they’re out the door. And neither of you should be using phones in the car to or from school because that’s an important time to talk.” Not only does limiting the amount of time you spend plugged in to computers provide a healthy counterpoint to the tech-obsessed world, it also strengthens the parent-child bond and makes kids feel more secure. Kids need to know that you are available to help them with their problems, talk about their day, or give them a reality check. “It is the mini-moments of disconnection, when parents are too focused on their own devices and screens, that dilute the parent-child relationship,” Dr. Steiner-Adair warns. And when kids start turning to the Internet for help or to process whatever happened during the day, you might not like what happens. “Tech can give your children more information that you can, and it doesn’t have your values,” notes Dr. Steiner-Adair. “It won’t be sensitive to your child’s personality, and it won’t answer his question in a developmentally appropriate way.”
In addition Dr. Wick advises delaying the age of first use as much as possible. “I use the same advice here that I use when talking about kids and alcohol—try to get as far as you can without anything at all.” If your child is on Facebook, Dr. Wick says that you should be your child’s friend and monitor her page. But she advises against going through text messages unless there is cause for concern. “If you have a reason to be worried then okay, but it better be a good reason. I see parents who are just plain old spying on their kids. Parents should begin by trusting their children. To not even give your kid the benefit of the doubt is incredibly damaging to the relationship. You have to feel like your parents think you’re a good kid.”
Offline, the gold standard advice for helping kids build healthy self-esteem is to get them involved in something that they’re interested in. It could be sports or music or taking apart computers or volunteering—anything that sparks an interest and gives them confidence. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they’re happier and better prepared for success in real life. That most of these activities also involve spending time interacting with peers face-to-face is just the icing on the cake.
In addition Dr. Wick advises delaying the age of first use as much as possible. “I use the same advice here that I use when talking about kids and alcohol—try to get as far as you can without anything at all.” If your child is on Facebook, Dr. Wick says that you should be your child’s friend and monitor her page. But she advises against going through text messages unless there is cause for concern. “If you have a reason to be worried then okay, but it better be a good reason. I see parents who are just plain old spying on their kids. Parents should begin by trusting their children. To not even give your kid the benefit of the doubt is incredibly damaging to the relationship. You have to feel like your parents think you’re a good kid.”
Offline, the gold standard advice for helping kids build healthy self-esteem is to get them involved in something that they’re interested in. It could be sports or music or taking apart computers or volunteering—anything that sparks an interest and gives them confidence. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they’re happier and better prepared for success in real life. That most of these activities also involve spending time interacting with peers face-to-face is just the icing on the cake.
Social media damages teenagers' mental health
According to Cristina Criddle (BBC News published on 27 January 2021) research from the Education Policy Institute and The Prince's Trust said wellbeing and self-esteem were similar in all children of primary school age. Boys and girls' wellbeing is affected at the age of 14, but girls' mental health drops more after that, it found. A lack of exercise is another contributing factor - exacerbated by the pandemic, the study said.
According to the research:
According to the research:
- One in three girls was unhappy with their personal appearance by the age of 14, compared with one in seven at the end of primary school
- The number of young people with probable mental illness has risen to one in six, up from one in nine in 2017
- Boys in the bottom set at primary school had lower self-esteem at 14 than their peers
The wellbeing of both genders fell during adolescence, with girls experiencing a greater decline, the report said. However, it recognised that girls' self-esteem and wellbeing stabilises as they move into their late teens, whereas it continues to drop for boys.
'Solace or community'
Heavy social media use was linked to negative wellbeing and self-esteem, regardless of a young person's mental state, with more girls experiencing feelings of depression and hopelessness.
“Those who feel worse may turn to social media for solace or community,” Dr Amy Orben, research fellow at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, said of the research.
“It’s not a vacuum, it works both ways."
The research uses data from 5,000 young people in England from the Millennium Cohort Study.
Focus groups were also carried out in November to examine the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on these ages.
Family income, exercise and poor maternal health also contributed to young people’s mental state, the study found.
But regular exercise had a positive impact on both genders, the report said.
“Those who feel worse may turn to social media for solace or community,” Dr Amy Orben, research fellow at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, said of the research.
“It’s not a vacuum, it works both ways."
The research uses data from 5,000 young people in England from the Millennium Cohort Study.
Focus groups were also carried out in November to examine the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on these ages.
Family income, exercise and poor maternal health also contributed to young people’s mental state, the study found.
But regular exercise had a positive impact on both genders, the report said.
Child Mind Institute. 2022. Rachel Ehmke - Child Mind Institute. [ONLINE] Available at: https://childmind.org/bio/rachel-ehmke/. [Accessed 9 November 2022].
Mental health
Anxiety, depression and self-harm on rise among teens
According to Elinor Cross & Craig Lewis (BBC News published on 18 November 2021) a large amount of young adults, especially teenagers, are pursuing help due to mental health issues and it's on the rise. The BBC explored Northamptonshire, speaking to young adults affected by this tragic issue and those pursuing help. They spoke to one young man, a 17-year-old, who suffered from academic and social pressure, leaving him on the edge of ending his own life. The boy, Liam, stated that he "started to develop voices in my head". He also was reported missing, luckily he was found before he came to any harm. "It took that level of intervention for me to get help," Liam said. It is shocking that this is how Liam got people to listen to him, a near death experience. Sadly, Liam is among many that experience mental health issues in the UK. In fact, The NSPCC said since April 2020 "anxiety has been the top concern from young people who have called its Childline counsellors regarding their mental health." The charity also stated "three-quarters of young people with mental health problems aren't getting the help they need."
As we have learnt, mental health in young adults is a very serious but looked over topic. Liam is just one of the many people who suffer from a mental health disorder and little was done to prevent this. We need to understand and tackle the issues that many young people face before they happen.
(BBC News. 2022. Mental health: Anxiety, depression and self-harm on rise among teens - BBC News. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-59261963. [Accessed 18 November 2022].)
As we have learnt, mental health in young adults is a very serious but looked over topic. Liam is just one of the many people who suffer from a mental health disorder and little was done to prevent this. We need to understand and tackle the issues that many young people face before they happen.
(BBC News. 2022. Mental health: Anxiety, depression and self-harm on rise among teens - BBC News. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-59261963. [Accessed 18 November 2022].)
Children and young people
According to mentalhealth.org.uk (published 12 August 2021) alarmingly, 75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren’t getting the help they need.
Children’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health helps them develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago.
Children’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health helps them develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time and freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- taking part in local activities
Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago.
What can affect children and young people’s mental health?
Traumatic events can trigger mental health problems for children and young people who are already vulnerable.
Changes such as moving home, changing school or the birth of a new sibling, etc., may act as triggers. Some children who start school feel excited about making new friends and doing new activities, but some may also feel anxious.
Teenagers often experience emotional turmoil as their minds and bodies develop. Working out and accepting who you are is important to growing up. Some young people find it hard to make this transition to adulthood and may experiment with alcohol, drugs or other substances that can affect mental health.
Changes such as moving home, changing school or the birth of a new sibling, etc., may act as triggers. Some children who start school feel excited about making new friends and doing new activities, but some may also feel anxious.
Teenagers often experience emotional turmoil as their minds and bodies develop. Working out and accepting who you are is important to growing up. Some young people find it hard to make this transition to adulthood and may experiment with alcohol, drugs or other substances that can affect mental health.
Productions about mental health
Let us explore and analyse some short film productions
Speak
After watching the short film, it is clear that not everything people say is true, sometimes they lie to feel better about themselves and not want to tell people about their issues incase they won't listen.
Locations used
The locations used in this short film were limited to just home, a flashback to a party with friends and a cafe.
Costumes
The costumes the characters used were smart/casual.
Camerawork
Most shots consisted of centralised framing, over-the-shoulder, close-up, cowboy and wide. This appeared to be used to show his environment but also use a few close-up shots when emphasising a point of the plot line.
Editing
Lighting
Depending on the scene, three-point-lighting was used to show the friends in the group but also bring the main character in focus. By using the key light to brighten the main character and the rim light to create more shadows on the friends, it made him pop out. When in a happier mood, the lighting was bright but soft on the characters. However when the characters were sad, the lighting was darker, reflecting their mood.
Sound
After watching this short film, it has shown to me how easy it is for people to get addicted to social media and how they solely rely on other people's attention and affection.
Conclusion
After researching into mental health in young people, it has taught me a lot more about the many struggles young people face. This research has opened me up to many more mental health conditions, as well as the large number of young people affected them. It has shown me the importance of life, with shocking statistics and many people out there today who are effected by them. With this knowledge, I have further improved my understanding of this topic, preparing me to plan my production carrying what I obtained from this.