Youth Mental Health

In VM Personal development we researched an Issue that effects secondary school kids. We picked Youth Mental Health in Youth and we were tasked with informing parents and kids about where they can receive the help they might need. We also wanted to talk to you about how you can spot a mental illness early on and where you can find help outside of school. 

What is a mental illness? 

A Mental disorder can come from many different situations it can be a genetic disorder it can come from past childhood trauma it can also develop over time if you’re in a bad mindset. Mental illness can affect people’s day to day lives by making it harder to go out in public. It can make it harder for a person with a mental disorder to get a job or to find a partner so they will be lonely, and it can cause their situation to get worse to the point where the person is willing to take their own life. Mental health disorder you might have heard of include Anxiety, Depression and ADHD these are the most common mental illnesses that teens might face through their life. It’s not just teens who can get these mental health disorders most symptoms of depression come from is a financial struggle or losing a loved one. 

For further information about mental health disorders please visit the Mayo Clinic.

People should not feel ashamed. 

If you are a student or a person in the community and you are struggling with a mental issue you should never feel ashamed to ask for help. The Australian institute of health and welfare show that people that have a mental issue can overcome it by seeking counselling and educating themselves about their condition and connecting with other people that have the same condition they have. It can help by building self-esteem and help the person overcome destructive self-judgement. It will make the person more confident to go out in public.

For further information on building self-esteem please visit Bezzy Depression.

Building awareness of mental health. 

Youth Mental Health issues are more common than most people think it is. Mental health issues can look like self-isolation and mood swing, but the worst stuff can range from cuts on the body to drawing things that imply suicidal thoughts. The best way to know if your child is going through a hard time is if you notice any mood changes or they barely leave their room and they constantly look sad. The best way to treat a mental illness is if you catch it early and receive help or you can get in contact with people who are going through the same mental illness and you can also self-educate yourself about your mental illness. Young Minds Matter states that 13.9% of 4–17-year-old kids develop a mental disorder. In 2024 Monash university recorded that 98% of young Australians reported having feelings of anxiety and depression at least once this past year.

Interview with a student. 

We interviewed a random person at the school they wish to stay anonymous we talked to them about their experience having a mental disorder and how they are slowly overcoming it. They have been struggling with anxiety and it’s been affecting then negatively by making simple things like going to Coles or woollies a hard challenge because of the anxiety they have. The worst anxiety attack they had was, they were trying to submit a resume to woollies and before they went in to hand it in, they had a very bad anxiety attack. They contacted the wellbeing office at Wantirna college and started to attend sessions they are going once a week to talk with a wellbeing teacher.

Where can students find help at Wantirna College? 

At the top of Wantirna College next to the B block toilets there’s a building with colourful stairs that building is known as the Wellbeing office. Inside the wellbeing office there are support teachers that are there to support students that are going through a rough patch either at school or at home. If you are a student that is looking for someone to talk to you can book a appointment through Microsoft teams by sending a message to Talea-Jane Simpson & Courtney Moran they are the head of the wellbeing. Once you send a message to them they will set a time for an appointment, they will come and get you out of class and you will go to the wellbeing office to have a chat with one of the support teacher there.

Lucas & Stefan

VCE Personal Development Studet