Mental illness is not an excuse, and we need to understand

To understand the younger generation’s mental health challenges, it’s crucial to remember that these young individuals are not seeking excuses. They can be navigating anxiety, attention difficulties, depression, bipolar disorder and eating disorders—and unlike us, they are more proactive in seeking medical intervention.

Here, we explore various mental health conditions and manifestation/behaviors to watch out for, with the goal of better understanding the mentally challenged and what they are going through. It’s not an exhaustive list, but we hope this can guide us toward greater empathy and comprehension.

If a college student is struggling with an anxiety disorder, he or she may often decline invitations to parties or group gatherings because of fear of being judged by her peers. The condition can also make it difficult for the teenager to form new friendships, or if he or she has friends, may feel left out when they plan without him or her.

For a high school student with ADHD, he or she may find it challenging to pay attention to the teacher’s lectures during class. He or she may also frequently interrupt discussions with off-topic comments. In group projects, impulsivity may cause issues with classmates as he or she tends to make quick decisions without considering inputs of teammates.

When a young professional is battling depression, he or she may often cancel plans with friends and family, preferring to stay in bed all day. Loved ones may notice that they lose interest in the things that used to bring joy. They worry about his or her isolation and overall lack of motivation.

For another young person who has bipolar disorder, he or she may spend money recklessly on unnecessary items during manic episodes—which may result in financial trouble. In contrast, during depressive episodes, he or she may withdraw from his friends and become apathetic about studies, leading to academic struggles.

As older generations, we must replace judgment with understanding, criticism with compassion, and stigma with acceptance. Everyone deserves a safe space, where we can openly discuss our mental health concerns without fear of judgment or dismissal.

The Department of Health