Sometimes you may feel that you are alone in your struggle and that there are only a few people who can understand you and are willing to help. However, that isn’t the truth. There are many among the youth who have lived through periods of hardship (more than 75%), which means that it’s completely common to face issues regarding mental health. The students of Druga gimnazija Sarajevo have shared with us what helps them combat such issues:
1. Talking with family and friends. Sometimes, the things which are causing us trouble can be neutralized simply by telling them to someone we believe. That person can look at the situation from a different perspective and give us a piece of advice that can change our stance toward it. Don’t neglect the adults in your life – they may have dealt with the same or similar issues as you, and can help you in an even more direct way.
2. Lowering the usage of social media. It is important to maintain a balance between your “online” life and meeting in person with your loved ones, as the IB counsellor and psychologist Denisa Čordalija has said in our Q&A with her. Some students from our school have benefited even from stopping using such platforms altogether, even though even just limiting time spent on them can have a positive impact.
What has helped me the most is ‘absence’ from social media. I believe that they have certainly damaged my mental health, because we are bombarded with thousands of images that can make us feel unsecure, depressed or anxious every day. Of course, we are in an environment where it’s impossible to avoid using technology, but I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends or doing something that makes me happy, because that’s the only thing that can charge our batteries.
3. Activities you enjoy. Certain hobbies that can grant us long-term happiness, which require patience and effort are an excellent way to get a sense of calmness and focus, in this world where everyone is expected to possess as many skills as possible. Time spent in the fresh mountain air, in the sports hall or playing an instrument directly contributes to the development of our skills, and can have a calming effect. A student of Druga gimnazija writes this about the importance of hobbies in their life:
Sometimes simply distancing myself from people and doing activities that i love to do - or rather activities that I know that are beneficial for me, so that when I'm finished with the aforementioned i feel somewhat complete and fulfilled - hence I enjoy mountain biking, going to the gym and other similar adrenaline boosting activities.
Activities like reading or listening to music can also be helpful, as is evident by the number of pupils whom it has helped become calmer.
Our students have also shared with us advice for those who are currently battling their own demons, as well as for maintaining mental health in general.
Communication is the most important element. We must be aware that we are not alone and that we, at all times, have at least one person whom we can tell what’s going on in our life. One word can save one’s life, but it can likewise ruin it. Even when we’re trying to make a joke, it’s better to try and make that joke funny, and not to kid in a mocking manner. We shouldn’t mock others because we do not know what’s going on in their lives. No one’s life is perfect, but we should make an effort to at least make one part of someone’s life better.
Thus, we should treat others the way we expect to be treated.Humans are complex, but also social beings. Mistakes in communication will definitely occur, but almost every problem of that sort can be solved by a honest talk.
Also, do not underestimate the importance of a good laugh. A healthy sense of humour is an indicator of emotional maturity, and represents a more sophisticated way of reacting to certain unpleasant situations than our primary response, like anger or frustration. Emotions spread from person to person, so, if you have a smile on your face, you’ll certainly see that that smile will transfer to people around you.
Some advice touches on the topic of self-improvement and hobbies, which have already been mentioned.
It is neccessary to accept the fact that we do not need to be perfect in every aspect, so why compete with others? Why put pressure on ourselves to be the best in everything?! Not everyone has potential for everything, and there is a wide variety of activities in which people can feel the best, doing what they love, and not what they are forced to do.
Music! Listening to music helps. Read! Any book/magazine/anything...
Based on the above students‘ statements, spending time with our loved ones, enjoying hobbies (and deepening our skills at the same time), and healthy communication are key to creating a positive effect on out lives and mental health. We hope that this article helped you in any way and that you will remember some of our advice.
All statements were collected via a Google Forms survey in January 2023. The form was filled out by 25 students.
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