Walter Odhiambo

Mental health among adolescents, the causes and remedy Adolescent ages, between 10 and 19 years is a very critical stage of growth which usually determines who one is during adulthood. During adolescence, there are noticeable physical, emotional and a number of social changes which are noticed in this age group. Exposure to poverty, violence or any other kinds of abuse make this age group very vulnerable to mental health problems. What is mental illness or mental disorder? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illness is defined as a condition that negatively affects a person's thinking, feeling or mood for a sustained period of time. Is depression a mental illness? What about anxiety? Yes, they are. Basically, they are the most common types of mental disorders. Other common mental illnesses among teenagers are Anxiety, Personality, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, PTSD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia or Psychotic Disorders. ‘’I remember when I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder...I honestly thought Anxiety was something simple, like just being sensitive to certain situations and becoming anxious...or I thought that it meant excessive worry...but as time grew on...I began to understand that Anxiety is like a darkness that consumes and affects every area of my life...and it's the only thing in the entire world that I hold hatred for since it is solely responsible for breaking up my relationships, hurting my friendships, and taking away many of my good memories,’’ says Geek Face (not her real name), a 17 year old. According to a mental health professionals, what we put in our bodies may also affect our mental health, considering the food we eat to affect the chemistry in our brains. Many young people, especially teens consume a lot of sugary food, artificial sweeteners and junk food. Young people should cut consumption of these in their diets. Eat as much fruit and vegetables as you can, and drink plenty of water as and have an interest which is not watching TV, staring at a phone or a computer. As a young person limit your time on Social Media. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may also promote negative experiences such as a feeling of Inadequacy about your life or appearance. However, as a young person, you have to understand your self-worth is not based on whether someone 'likes' your posts on social media, you are worth more than that. The ideas we take in to our heads influence us, we are our thoughts, they determine our reality, so if you are constantly listening to or watching material with a fearful or dark edge content, cut down on them. For example, pornography is a major challenge among many young people. Cut on consumption of such materials and embark of building self-confidence. As a young person, you can always go jogging in the evening, Meditation, either early in the morning or at night, journaling your thoughts and affirmations. Also, make good interaction with others, try to eat at least once daily and do not eat a lot of sugar. Take small breaks after work chunks and always have a feeling of gratitude. ‘’ One of the things that helps me, is avoiding screens 2 hours before sleep and 1 hour after waking up. So no cellphone, television or computer. I mostly spend this time reading, drawing, doing something in the house or just sitting on the couch, thinking. Also, it really helps to put an alarm on the other side of the bedroom, with a glass of water. As soon as you wake up, you have to get out of bed, to put off the alarm. After that, drink the glass of water and get dressed or go to the bathroom or whatever, point is, you are already out of bed,’’ Geek Face says when asked on how she manages her mental sanity. 666