Supporting Teens
With the rise in mental health issues in the UK today, it is a privilege to offer support to South Oxfordshire teenagers and their families through BeingBest.
Teenagers today are navigating a far more complex world than we ever did and this is reflected in the enormous increase in mental health challenges over the last two decades. Statistics and research consistently show an increase in conditions like anxiety and depression, particularly among adolescents.
In education, we often come across young people with SEN or mental health needs who have been missed or overlooked. Girls, in particular, are adept at developing sophisticated “masking” or “camouflaging” skills, preferring not to stand out or draw attention to themselves. As a result, their underlying challenges are less visible to parents and educators and support is often offered very late in the day, if at all. Further down the line, many young adults report being misdiagnosed at least once, sometimes more often.
Educators and healthcare professionals, who play a vital role in our communities, are often overwhelmed and unable to find the time for adequate and up-to-date training. The services they offer, such as CAMHS and CYPMHS are equally as inundated, and at times it is helpful and motivating to have a plan that can be implemented during “the waiting” period.
There is no doubt that a major contributing factor to today’s crisis is social media which, for many young people, has replaced face-to-face interaction, altering the way they communicate and develop and often creating a sense of isolation. This shift away from relaxed contact with family and friends not only distorts the way we see the world but also deprives us of opportunities to create meaningful and positive relationships with people who can fight our corner and champion our cause.
Relying on social media for a sense of "normal" often leads to disappointment and feelings of failure. People post what they want to project and more often than not this is an unrealistic and idyllic version of their lives. Constantly scrolling through "perfect" snapshots, such as idyllic holidays, triggers social comparison, which can result in negative thought patterns, inadequacy, and a distorted view of reality.
At BeingBest we can offer counselling, coaching, education or just a chat and a cup of tea. Navigating options and choices can be overwhelming, but our focus is on helping people to work out what next steps can be put in place to make a difference.
