Helping Hand for Teens?

Helping Hand for Teens?

You and me are definitely NOT teens anymore but we could have teens around us, our nephews, neices or even children.  So, I guess it's about time we discuss about one of the last discussed segment of our society and these are the TEENS. I guess everyone will agree that they need a Helping Hand much more than the majority of our current demographics.  Why do TEENS need help?  For so many compelling reasons, TEENS need our help.

For multiple [and likely countless] times in their lives, TEENS seem to be neither here nor there.  Neither are they looked up as adults nor as children anymore.  So you may not agree but these are tough times for teens.  And according to the U.S. Surgeon General in his advisory released in December, the pressure that teens are facing today are unprecedented.  

Experts claim that youth mental health is in crisis [and it's not just because of this long-drawn pandemic].  According to the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey, mental health among youth did a 'nose dive', with DEPRESSION and SADNESS increasing by 40%, whew.  What seems to prevail these days is that perceived PERFECTIONISM in TEENS. Many TEENS feel like they are not good enough unless they are at the top of their class and excel in their sports event.

Some of this feeling of not being 'GOOD ENOUGH' comes from comparing themselves with others or via social competition.  For TEENS in school, determining their value means comparing themselves with others as it has been perpetuated in schools with grades and ratings, which then makes it so effortlessly easy to measure up to their competition.

Thing is, comparing oneself to others and striving to be perfect is a RECIPE for mental health problems.  What can we do?  How can we help TEENS see that it's possible to have high standards for themselves while at the same time treating themselves kindly?  That they DON'T have to beat themselves up with harsh words and unrelenting self-criticism to excel.  What else can we do?  Encourage them to speak kindly to themselves because when they prevail, we prevail as well in tandem with them ✅✅✅