It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget to take a step back and assess our thoughts and feelings. Neha Bhave Salankar is an experienced consulting psychiatrist at the Bhave Institute for Mental Health in Nagpur, and has been a successful student throughout her career, even winning a prestigious gold medal. Although there is an increasing awareness of mental health issues among adolescents, there is still a lack of knowledge about the importance of self-care for this age group. Teenagers today face their own unique set of challenges, such as academic pressure, the need to excel in school, participate in community and family events, worries about their future, physical appearance, and social status, as well as relationship problems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have had to deal with additional stressors such as not being able to socialize with their peers, increased parental supervision, and difficulties with online learning. These issues can have a negative impact on their mental health and lead to behavioral problems or even suicidal thoughts. It's natural for teenagers to feel invincible, but it's important to teach them to not take on too much. Encourage them to limit their activities and commitments to the ones that are beneficial for them and that they can give their full attention to.
This way, they can be kinder to themselves and give their mind and body the rest they need. Although there is a lot of information available about physical and mental health for adolescents, there is still not enough information about adolescent self-care and its importance.
