2018世界精神衛生日-
不斷變化的世界中的年輕人和精神衛生
資料來源:世界衛生組織(http://www.who.int/mental_health)
青少年時期和成年後最初幾年是發生諸多變化的生命時期,例如更換學校,離家,開始大學生活或新工作等。對於許多人來說,這些是激動人心的時刻,但也可能導致壓力和憂慮感。在某些情况下,如果這些感覺得不到確認和管理,則可能導致精神疾病。隨著網路技術的日益廣泛使用,無疑帶來了許多好處,但也會帶來額外的壓力,因為與虛擬網路的連接日益增強,不分晝夜隨時都可上網。此外,許多青少年還在生活中受衝突、自然災害和流行病等人道主義緊急情况影響的區域。生活在這種狀況中的年輕人特别容易受到精神打擊和疾病的傷害。
半數精神疾病始於14歲
半數精神疾病始於14歲,但大多數病例都得不到發現和治療。就青少年的疾病負擔而言,憂鬱症是第三大原因。自殺是15-29歲人群的第二大死亡原因。青少年過度使用酒精和非法藥物是許多國家的一個主要問題,可能導致不安全的性行為或危險駕駛等危險行為。飲食失調也是令人關切的問題。
認識到建立心理適應力的重要性
幸好人們認識到必須幫助年輕人從小建立心理適應力,以便應對當今世界的各種挑戰。越來越多的證據表示,促進和保護青少年健康不僅有益於青少年的短期和長期健康,而且對經濟和社會也有益處,健康的年輕人能夠增進勞動力,為其家庭和社區乃至整個社會作出更大貢獻。
預防應從加強了解開始
有很多工作可以幫助從小建立心理適應力,以便預防青少年和年輕人的精神痛苦和疾病,同時可促進精神疾病的管理和康復。預防首先要認識和了解精神疾病的早期徵兆和症狀。父母和老師可以幫助兒童和青少年建立生活技能,使其能應對家庭和學校的日常挑戰。可以在學校和其它社區環境中提供社會心理支持,當然還可以開展、改進或擴大對衛生工作者的培訓,使他們能夠發現和管理精神障礙病例。
政府必須對全面、綜合對青少年精神衛生規劃做出努力,同時必須動員社會、衛生和教育部門參與。這方面努力應有具體規劃,使青少年和年輕人對照護自己精神健康的方法有更多認識,並知道如何去幫助同儕,同時也要讓其父母和老師了解應如何為子女和學生提供支持。這是今年世界精神衛生日的主題。
YOUNG PEOPLE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN A CHANGING WORLD
Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life when many changes occur, for example changing schools, leaving home, and starting university or a new job. For many, these are exciting times. They can also be times of stress and apprehension however. In some cases, if not recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness. The expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows. Many adolescents are also living in areas affected by humanitarian emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics. Young people living in situations such as these are particularly vulnerable to mental distress and illness.
Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14
Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents is a major issue in many countries and can lead to risky behaviours such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving. Eating disorders are also of concern.
Growing recognition of the importance of building mental resilience
Fortunately, there is a growing recognition of the importance of helping young people build mental resilience, from the earliest ages, in order to cope with the challenges of today’s world. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting adolescent health brings benefits not just to adolescents’ health, both in the short- and the long-term, but also to economies and society, with healthy young adults able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities and society as a whole.
Prevention begins with better understanding
Much can be done to help build mental resilience from an early age to help prevent mental distress and illness among adolescents and young adults, and to manage and recover from mental illness. Prevention begins with being aware of and understanding the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness. Parents and teachers can help build life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday challenges at home and at school. Psychosocial support can be provided in schools and other community settings and of course training for health workers to enable them to detect and manage mental health disorders can be put in place, improved or expanded.
Investment by governments and the involvement of the social, health and education sectors in comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programmes for the mental health of young people is essential. This investment should be linked to programmes to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults of ways to look after their mental health and to help peers, parents and teachers know how to support their friends, children and students. This is the focus for this year’s World Mental Health Day.