Bullying, pressure to perform well at school, climate change, and peer pressure are just some challenges that can affect mental health and well-being for Aussie kids and adolescents.
In the modern age, youth face increased pressures that affect mental health and well-being. Youth mental health charity ReachOut encourages pharmacy staff to be aware of the mental health pressures on young people and to learn more about the organisation’s services.
According to the Black Dog Institute, 75 per cent of mental health conditions develop before age 25, so early intervention and prevention are essential to improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.1
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in seven children has been assessed as having a mental health condition, and suicide remains the leading cause of death for five to 17-year-olds.2
“Youth is often a challenging time for many people, and we know that there are a number of experiences unique to young people which can impact their mental health,” said Linda Williams, Clinical Lead (Clinical Governance) at ReachOut.
“The last few years have been especially tough for young people as they’ve faced the impacts and disruptions of COVID-19, floods and fires.”
“While every young person’s challenges will be unique, some of the most common issues young people tell us are impacting their mental health include exams and study stress, stress about the future – including financial concerns and climate change – anxiety and relationship issues.”
Why is youth mental health an issue?
Ms Williams says that while young people are at greater risk of experiencing mental health difficulties, they often fail to seek help, meaning that mental health services that target and are designed for youth mental health are critical.
“We know that for many people, mental health concerns begin when they’re young, and 40 per cent of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties,” she said.
“Although young people have higher prevalence rates for mental health issues than the general population, many don’t seek help, and their needs often go unmet. More than one million young people with mental health difficulties aren’t seeking professional support.”
“Importantly, research among young people has shown that counselling and clinical interventions can feel overwhelming. And when young people do seek support from friends and family, the internet is the first place they turn to find support.”
“That’s why services like ReachOut are so important to support young people’s mental health in ways that feel safe and accessible to them. ReachOut focuses on early intervention and prevention to help give young people the tools and pathways to support so that they can manage their mental health throughout their lives.”
Services and support
ReachOut offers services and information to both children and their parents, Ms Williams says.
“ReachOut provides a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future,” she said.
“Anonymous, free, and 100 per cent online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for, and with, young people. From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers to online forums, as well as tips, stories, and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to.”
“ReachOut For Parents and ReachOut For Schools provide valuable information, resources and advice to help parents, carers and educators to better understand the young people in their lives and to play an active role in their wellbeing.”
Pharmacy’s role
Pharmacy staff dealing with mental health concerns is common. Ms Williams encourages retail pharmacy assistants to provide a listening ear to their customers and direct them to the appropriate support.
“We know that retail pharmacy assistants can play a really important role when it comes to mental health, because of the interactions they have with their customers and community,” she said.
“We encourage retail pharmacy assistants to ask their customers how they’re going and to listen to the answer. You don’t have to fix the problem, but being able to hold space, listen and mention specific mental health support services that could suit that particular customer can be an impactful way of directing them to the right support.”
Ms Williams says pharmacy staff can learn more about youth mental health and support ReachOut by visiting the website.
“Visiting the ReachOut and ReachOut For Parents websites is a great way to learn more about the free mental health services that ReachOut offers to both young people and parents, which are available 24/7,” she said.
Alternatively, pharmacies can download ReachOut posters or become involved with Laps for Life, which challenges the community to swim during March in support of youth mental health.
“You might also like to download some free ReachOut posters to hang up in your pharmacy as a good reminder about looking after our mental health,” Ms Williams said. “Or you could get involved in an event like Laps for Life and encourage your community to get involved too. Laps for Life is all about setting your own goals and jumping in the pool in March in support of youth mental health and suicide prevention.”
If you need help:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
To learn more:
- ReachOut: au.reachout.com/
- Laps for Life: lapsforlife.com.au/register-interest-2023
- Download ReachOut posters from your pharmacy: reachout-australia.myshopify.com/
References
- Black Dog Institute. ‘Youth mental health’. 2022. org.au/research-areas/youth-mental-health/ [accessed 16/11/22].
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. ‘Australia’s children’. 2020. gov.au/getmedia/6af928d6-692e-4449-b915-cf2ca946982f/aihw-cws-69-print-report.pdf.aspx?inline=true [accessed 16/11/22].
This feature was originally published in the February issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
