Common Mental Health Challenges for Young Adults in Philadelphia
Most people know that mental illness affects our country as a whole, but what you may not realize is how common it is among young adults. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five college students experiences depression or anxiety—and 70% of them do not get help. This statistic should concern us all because untreated mental health issues can lead to other problems like substance abuse, suicide, and relationship challenges.
Managing stress. Four common stressors in young adults include work, finances, family, and a recent move or change in life circumstances.
Stress is a common cause of mental health challenges. Stress can affect your sleep, eating habits, and overall health. It's often caused by difficult situations like work and family issues. Other common stressors include being in debt, having a long commute to work or school, dealing with an illness or injury that impacts your life in some way, moving to a new place (either for school or for personal reasons), and caring for someone who has special needs.
Self-esteem is influenced by many external and internal factors.
Self-esteem is influenced by many external and internal factors. The following are some examples of how your self-esteem can be affected:
Your environment—your family, school, neighborhood or community
Culture—the groups in which you participate or identify with (such as family traditions or religious beliefs)
Other people—how others treat you and interact with you (this includes teachers, coaches, friends and romantic partners)
The way you think about yourself also plays a role in how your self-esteem develops. If this is something that affects your sense of self-worth and well-being, it’s important to understand what impacts it the most so that you can take steps towards increasing yours. Some common beliefs that may lower someone's sense of worth include:
"I'm not good enough." This belief stems from comparing oneself negatively against others who appear more capable than oneself; however it's more common for people who have a good concept of their own personal strengths but feel inferior due to being surrounded by successful peers."
Unhealthy relationships can cause low self-esteem, which can trigger other problems.
Emotional abuse is often a part of unhealthy relationships, and it can take many forms. Someone might constantly criticize or demean you, or use fear tactics to manipulate you into doing something.
This can include:
Demeaning your opinions or making fun of them (or not taking them seriously)
Belittling your accomplishments, like saying “You’re just lucky” when someone does well at work or school
Giving others the impression that there's something wrong with your family because they don't have as much money as others
The stigma of mental illness can make you avoid getting help out of fear of being labeled as weak or somehow flawed for having a mental health condition.
While there's no shame in dealing with mental illness, it can be hard to talk about your problems. You may feel like you're being a burden to others or even ashamed that you need help at all. That's why it's important for you to remember that getting help is more about taking care of yourself than letting down anyone else.
But even if you want to get help, the stigma of mental illness can make you avoid getting help out of fear of being labeled as weak or somehow flawed for having a mental health condition. The stigma of mental illness makes people feel like they should be able to manage their own problems without outside assistance and keeps them from seeking out treatment options when they need them most—and that can have dire consequences over time: about 40% percent of all suicides are committed by people struggling with depression or another serious mood disorder
Finding the right therapist for you can make a huge difference in the success of your therapy.
Choosing the right therapist can make all the difference in your treatment. If you feel comfortable and open with your therapist, it's more likely that he or she will be able to help you deal with your issues.
Look for a therapist who is experienced in your specific issue. For example, if depression is what's keeping you from functioning at work and school, look for a therapist who has experience treating depression in young adults like yourself.
Look for a therapist who fits into your personality type and availability constraints (e.g., is he/she available after 5pm on weekdays?). Your ideal match may not be someone who has worked with hundreds of clients; sometimes it can simply come down to whether or not they’re someone you click with on an interpersonal level!
Mental health issues are more common than we think and seeking help is encouraged now more than ever.
While it may not seem like it, mental health issues are very common in young adults. If you have been feeling down or anxious lately and are worried that something more serious might be going on, don’t hesitate to seek help. It is important to remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it is actually a sign of strength and self-confidence.
Stigma surrounding mental illness has been steadily decreasing over the years as more people begin speaking out about their struggles with depression, anxiety and other disorders. Seeking therapy for these issues can be extremely beneficial for many people-especially young adults who are still trying to figure themselves out!
Mental health challenges are common in young adults, but they can be managed. While it’s normal for some people to feel depressed at times, there is help available if you notice changes in your mood or behavior that affect how you function on a daily basis.
Make sure your loved one gets help if necessary by encouraging them to seek treatment and knowing who to contact should anything happen while they’re away from home.