Our intern Anita Vimal gives us her personal perspective on being a young person with mental health
Today is World Mental Health Day and attention this year is on young people and mental health in a changing world. Finding out that this year’s focus was on my demographic – under 25-year-olds – really hit home.
Mental health is a spectrum and some days will leave you feeling like you’re floating on a cloud while other days leave you feeling like you’re in the midst of an existential crisis.
We all feel it at some point or another – sometimes the inexplicable feelings of being alone, sad and anxious can last a few hours, and sometimes it can last a few months. Situational factors may trigger mental health issues, such as going through major transitional periods. The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be huge, and changes like moving from university to the workplace can really take a toll on a young person’s mental health.
As a 21-year-old fresh out of university, I was delighted to find out that I’d been chosen to complete a 3-month internship with HAVAS Just::. I remember in the lead up to my start-date, friends and family congratulated me on joining the 9-5 working world and bombarded me with tips and opinions on how to achieve a good work-life balance. And before I knew it, I found myself sitting in the reception of the big, enchanting HKX building.
I had no idea just how different my routine would become and I found it increasingly difficult to cram in my daily gym sessions, socialising and getting my eight hours of sleep a night. Time really is a limiting factor and often it feels as though there aren’t enough hours in the day to get through your to-do list.
People often underestimate how stressful life can be for recent graduates – we’re no longer in the ‘uni bubble’ and are faced with uncertainty in most aspects of life. Studies suggest that the human brain doesn’t stop developing until your mid-20s to early-30s, yet at the tender age of 21 we have to deal with a mountain of pressures. Once we overcome the draining task of job-hunting, we have to cope with drastic changes in our routines and high expectations from employers. Instead of letting our mental health crumble during these stressful periods, it is important to be mindful and focus on our wellbeing.
Achieving a good work-life balance tailored to your individual needs isn’t easy, but it can definitely contribute to good mental health. So read that book you’ve been dying to finish, do something exciting on date-night or try practicing meditation to help combat stress and anxiety.
Imagine yourself as a surfer, paddling out into the ceaseless ocean, to be confronted with a mighty wave. You cling onto your surfboard and instead of letting the choppy waters consume you, you climb onto the board and ride it out.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s ride the wave and fight against the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Some days the waves may get the better of you, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to not always be okay and that there are lots of practical ways we can foster good mental health.