Why are young people anxious and how can you help?

Five young people seeking support for their mental health and wellbeing are referred to the Guernsey and Alderney Youth Commission each week.

The charity has sought to meet that need after receiving a three-year grant of £300,000 from the Social Investment Fund and Channel Islands Lottery in 2021.

Three Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) are trained and provide sessions for children and families.

The Youth Committee is currently looking for further funding to continue the program.

But what is the cause of the stress felt by young people on the island?

Amelie is 15 years old and a member of the committee’s youth forum. She said many young people feel a lot of pressure.

“Everyone is stressed at school, but there’s something more that happens when you get home and are tired and burnt out,” she said.

“A lot of it comes from social media, my phone is constantly buzzing with class chat notifications and everything is right in front of me.

“In Guernsey you can’t go out without seeing someone you know. Everything is really full and you can’t run away from anything. There’s always pressure.”

Mr Ameri said the support schools provided to young people was not being fully appreciated.

But she said groups that support young people with specific concerns, such as loneliness, caring for family members or grief, before they reach crisis point, are really valuable.

And that’s where the youth committee’s work comes in, she said.

The 2022 Guernsey Youth Survey shows fewer children aged 10 to 15 say they have high self-esteem and are happy with who they are.

In response, the Youth Commission applied for funding for three members of staff to complete the EMHP qualification through the University of Southampton.

They have been trained to deliver individual mental health sessions to 140 young people and 95 group workshops for parents and children to improve problem solving, anxiety and depression management, and mental health. Advised on improvements.

The committee would like to continue offering sessions and is looking for further funding to do so.

Angie Robinson, an educational therapist specializing in psychological safety in schools, said young people should be able to ask for help and make mistakes without fear.

“Social connections with great mentors are what help young people overcome the stress and anxiety of everyday life,” she says.

“We need to create spaces of joy where young people can enjoy moments of meaningful connection with others doing something healthy, safe and worthwhile.”

She said academic stress and social media pressures, compounded by global concerns such as the cost of living crisis, are putting financial strain on families.

“It’s trickling down to our young people,” she says.

Robinson appealed to her parents and grandparents to provide love and security.

She says, “Encourage sharing and really listen without trying to solve the problem. Validate their feelings and ask open-ended questions. When dealing with your own anxiety, “Model healthy coping strategies.”

“You don’t have to spend hours on it. Just 10 minutes of talking with your child and listening to their opinions can be very meaningful.”