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Youth and Mental Health

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Ida Marie Lykke Elsborg

Denmark

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Emil Shivakhanov

Azerbaijan

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General mental health issues that university students face

  • Why Mental Health Matters?

There are 2 main reasons why it is important in university life:

1. University is the beginning of a new life with extreme of responsibilities. In this period, there are not only educational issues, but also socioeconomic situations, sociocultural differences, communication problems and changes resulting from being away from family.

2. Every day, there is news of conflicts in the world, whether political or international. In addition to the issues that youth are worried about, keeping them busy on the agenda is the second most important issue for young people to focus on. Their mental health must be in place so that they can focus on their studies.

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Anxiety Disorders

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  • Academic Anxiety: Fear of exams, deadlines, and graduations.

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  • Social Anxiety: Struggles with public speaking or forming relationships.

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  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive worry about daily life.

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Factors that make it difficult to maintain good mental health during your student life

In order to solve the problems in student life, it is necessary to first determine them and the factors that cause them individually.

  • Academic Pressure - The expectation to consistently perform at a high level
  • Financial Difficulties - Worrying about financial stability and the future.
  • Fear of the Future - Anxiety about finding a job or planning a career after graduation.
  • Unhealthy Habits - Irregular sleep schedules, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.
  • Time Management - Struggling to balance classes, social activities, and possibly a part-time job.

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Tips on how to cope with the challenges you face

  • Manage Stress - Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and prioritize deadlines.
  • Cope with Anxiety - Grounding Exercises: Focus on the present moment using techniques like the "5-4-3-2-1" method (identify five things you see, four things you feel, etc.).
  • Exercise Regularly: Even a short walk or workout can release endorphins and improve your mood.
  • Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself: It’s okay to make mistakes and not be perfect.
  • Say No When Needed: Don’t overcommit if it’s overwhelming.

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Work-Life Balance: Difficulties of creating time to do other things than just studying

What does it mean to live a meaningful life?

  • Feeling more engaged and motivated: Bad days are inevitable, but they’ll be less intense because you live according to your intrinsic motivators and personal values.
  • Connecting to a higher sense of purpose: When you have a purpose, you understand where your skills fit in the bigger picture. 
  • Increasing your life satisfaction: When you find your meaning, you have fewer wants. You feel satisfied with where you are and where you’re going.
  • Crafting your life story:  You can see a clear narrative threading every chapter of your life together.

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Ways to do things you love in your daily life

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  • Set Priorities

When preparing your daily to-do list, determine the most important tasks.

  • Be Planned

Even on busy days, take 15-30 minutes for yourself.

  • Develop Productive Work Habits

Get your work done in less time by staying away from things that distract you while working.

  • Plan Small But Fun Activities

If you can't spare a long period of time, take short breaks to do things you enjoy (for example, listening to music you like or taking a short walk).

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Imposter syndrome: What is it?

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Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where accomplished individuals struggle to believe they deserve their achievements, feeling like frauds or impostors. It fosters a sense of self-deception and creates the belief that one is unworthy of their success. Even in the face of clear accomplishments, those experiencing impostor syndrome often feel undeserving of the recognition or success they have attained.

Individuals with this syndrome often credit their accomplishments to luck or external circumstances, downplaying their own talents and capabilities. They frequently worry about being exposed as "frauds" or "impostors," leading to feelings of anxiety and insecurity when making decisions. Additionally, they tend to seek constant external validation to feel reassured.

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Why does it occur?

1. Personality Traits:

  • Perfectionism: The belief that anything less than perfect is a failure.
  • Low self-esteem: Chronic self-doubt can fuel imposter feelings.
  • High sensitivity to criticism: Fear of judgment or failure often reinforces the feeling of being a fraud.

2. Environmental and Social Factors:

  • Competitive environments: Pressure to excel in academics or the workplace can intensify feelings of inadequacy.
  • Cultural or family expectations: Growing up in environments with high standards or achievement-based validation can contribute to feelings of inadequacy.
  • Social comparison: Comparing oneself to peers or mentors in the age of social media amplifies the feeling of not measuring up.

3. Structural Factors:

  • Underrepresentation: Women, minorities, or individuals from marginalized groups often feel they need to work harder to "prove" themselves.
  • Workplace dynamics: A lack of mentorship or support in professional settings can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt.

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Disaster Management: How does stressful situations affect us, and how can we handle them in good ways?

Emotional Management:

Breathing Exercises: Deep, slow breathing can reduce stress and help you stay calm.

Acknowledge Your Feelings: Accept that emotions like fear, anxiety, or anger are normal. Instead of suppressing them, express them in healthy ways.

Mental Strategies

  • Focus on What You Can Control: Instead of stressing over things beyond your control, direct your energy toward areas where you can make a difference.
  • Talk with others. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member, or faith-based leader to explore what meaning the event may have for you.
  • Stretch and move your body to get rid of the buildup of extra stress hormones. Try simple moves like walking, or meditating if possible

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How can you get ready for emergencies and avoid potential crises in the future?

Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days by putting together an emergency kit, including: non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, a portable, battery-operated radio or television, batteries, medicines, anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel, first aid kit, money, seasonal clothing, and sanitation supplies

  • Learn first aid and CPR from your local Red Cross chapter or other community organizations.
  • Learn how to shut off gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged.
  • Organize your neighborhood to be self-sufficient after a disaster.

.Strategies for Preventing Future Crises

Environmental Measures:

  • Reduce climate change risks by adopting eco-friendly practices like conserving water and energy.
  • Participate in tree planting initiatives to prevent floods and soil erosion.

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Policy Advocacy:

  • Advocate for stronger building codes and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
  • Push for effective early warning systems and preparedness campaigns in your community.

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Precaution

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Bibliography

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Thanks for Attention!

”Mental health is not a destination, it’s a Journey.”

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