America’s young professionals are in trouble. A recent study by the Mary Christie Institute, in partnership with the Healthy Minds Network, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and the National Association of Colleges and Employers, asked young graduates (between 22 and 28) about their mental and emotional wellbeing. Their responses were disheartening, to say the least:
- 51 percent said they needed help for mental health problems in the past year.
- 43 percent suffered from anxiety.
- 31 percent suffered from depression.
- 53 percent reported feeling burnout at least once a week.
- 38 percent view their work environment as a negative contributor to their wellbeing.
- 39 percent say their college did not help prepare them emotionally for the future.
National recovery advocate David Magee doesn’t demonize workplaces or colleges for the mental fragility of America’s young people. He doesn’t blame parents, either (frankly, most are overwhelmed and don’t know where to even begin to start). If anything, he points the finger at the incredibly harsh times we live in (it’s right there in his book title).
“The young people in today’s workforce grew up during some incredibly tough years,” says Magee, author of the upcoming book Things Have Changed: What Every Parent (and Educator) Should Know About the Student Mental Health and Substance Misuse Crisis (Matt Holt, August 2023, ISBN: 978-1-6377439-6-6, $22.00) and award-winning book Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss. “It’s no surprise they’re anxious and depressed.
“They have faced intense academic pressures and economic worries,” he continues, ticking off a grim list. “They’ve been exposed to alcohol and drugs at an early age. They’ve consumed far too much social media. Their traditional support networks have been dismantled. They’ve absorbed a lot of stress and very little joy. Oh, and let’s not forget COVID-19.”
The good news, says Magee, is that there is hope for creating mentally healthy children—who grow up to be mentally healthy adults—even in chaotic times. Ideally, it will take parents, educators, and communities working together to solve the complex knot of problems our young people face, which is why he created the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi and The Mayo Lab Podcast with David Magee, available at https://themayolab.com and on Apple and Spotify podcast platforms.
For now, says Magee, parents need to prepare their children upstream mentally and emotionally for the stress they’ll face downstream when they enter the workforce. Think of it as strengthening the muscle that helps them cope with anxiety. When parents equip children with a mental toughness “tool kit” to start using when they’re young, they’ll be able to draw on it when life gets harder—say, in college, and definitely in the workplace. A few tips:
Don’t protect children from stress or try to solve problems for them. The earlier they learn to cope and deal with the anxiety that comes with navigating life (tough homework projects, a disagreement with a friend), the better they’ll be able to handle stressful situations later on.
“Talk to them about how they’re feeling and be a safe place for them to land,” says Magee. “Show compassion; tell them stories about your own adversities and how you overcame them. But also, hold them accountable for what they are supposed to be doing.”
Help them fill their joy deficit. (And don’t assume you know what will bring them joy.) Young people want sustainable joy more than anything else, says Magee. Pursuing genuine interests (not activities you’ve curated for them) and forging real connections with others bring the joy that buffers life’s stresses and makes them less likely to succumb to depression. Unfortunately, the realities of today’s world (too much social media, too much pressure to achieve, too much isolation) drains joy.
“Sustaining joy is a lifelong pursuit,” says Magee. “Parents can help by encouraging children to find their passions and letting them choose their own path, rather than dictating it for them. Don’t assume you know what brings them joy or tell them what they need. Do help them put time and energy into building strong connections and relationships rather than staring at devices all day.”
Delay smartphones until at least eighth grade. In his book, Magee builds a compelling case that smartphones and their associated apps “have more to do with the mental health and substance misuse epidemic than most parents and educators can conceive.” Smartphone usage in young people is linked to everything from substance misuse to eating disorders to sleep deprivation.
“The non-profit Wait Until 8th urges parents to wait until children are in the eighth grade before giving them a smartphone,” says Magee. “It lists reasons for delaying, including that smartphones are changing childhood; are addictive; impair sleep; interfere with relationships; increase risk for anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying; and are an academic distraction. In short, smartphones aren’t doing your children any favors in the mental health department.”
Give them a wellbeing “toolbox” and insist they use it. Mind, body, and emotions are all connected. That’s why children should learn healthy habits well before college-age. For example:
- Sleep. Make sure they get at least eight hours of sleep a night (with smartphones out of the room). “We should value sleep like we do the air we breathe,” insists Magee.
- Exercise. Encourage them to take a brisk walk or run every day. The fresh air, movement, and endorphins alone will change how they feel emotionally and physically. “Exercise is natural weaponry against anxiety and depression,” Magee says.
- Connection to a Higher Purpose. Another crucial tool is faith and spirituality, which Magee says is deeply personal. It doesn’t have to be organized religion, but can be the peace achieved through meditation or yoga, or the commitment to a deeply cherished cause. “Believing in something greater than yourself provides a deep sense of meaning, purpose, and contented joy,” says Magee.
“Encourage them to add to their toolbox throughout life,” says Magee. “It will strengthen their wellbeing in countless ways and give them a sense of resilience, rejuvenation, and power that will serve them in the workplace and throughout life.”
Force hard conversations on tough subjects like substance misuse. Magee says young people often use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate when they’re feeling anxious or depressed. Don’t think, My children would never do that! Substance misuse and addiction happen in “nice” families—a fact Magee knows all too well after losing his son William to an accidental overdose.
“Make it a priority to engage with your children over meals and activities,” he says. “Don’t allow them to sit in silence, even if that’s what they clearly prefer. Broach subjects you might suspect they are dealing with—say, eating disorders or substance misuse—and don’t be afraid to state the blunt facts. But also don’t preach. Ask open-ended questions and listen closely for clues.
“The word ‘anxiety’ itself is a clue,” says Magee. “While young people may not admit to substance misuse or depression, they will often claim anxiety. This is your cue to continue asking open-ended questions, like, ‘When are you most likely to feel anxiety?’ ‘How would you describe what your anxiety feels like?’ ‘What do you think would make you feel better?’”
Here’s the bottom line: The more we can get our children talking, the more likely we can break the stigma around mental health and substance misuse—and the more likely they will grow up knowing how to manage the anxiety that comes with adult life.
“Work and other aspects of adult life will bring stress,” notes Magee. “There will be anxiety. But if we get intentional about building emotional resilience in our children early, we’ll help improve the odds that they can cope with anxiety, get through stressful work situations, and go on to build successful careers and lives.”
# # #
About David Magee:
David Magee is the best-selling author of Things Have Changed: What Every Parent (and Educator) Should Know About the Student Mental Health and Substance Misuse Crisis and Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss—a Publisher’s Weekly bestseller, named a Best Book of the South, and featured on CBS Mornings—and other nonfiction books. A changemaker in student and family mental health and substance misuse, he’s the creator and director of operations of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi and a frequent K–12 and university educational and motivational speaker, helping students and parents find and keep their joy. He hosts The Mayo Lab Podcast with David Magee, available at https://themayolab.com and on Apple and Spotify podcast platforms, a one-of-its-kind program for parents aimed at helping students and families find lasting wellbeing. He’s also a national recovery advisor for the Integrative Life Network. Learn more at www.daviddmagee.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment