Anxiety, Stress and Depression – – Warning Signs in our Children. 3 Things To Do

As parents and educators, we work hard to shape and guide our young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. We live in a very competitive world where the pressures of school, peers and adults can have a very negative and lasting impact. According to the 2018 NAMI Report, 1 in 5 teenagers, ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition. 50% of all lifetime cases begin by age 14. This is an epidemic that we must proactively address within our homes, schools and communities at large.

Anxiety, Stress, Depression….are you seeing these conditions in your child or your students?

Here are 3 proven things you can do to help alleviate early warning signs in your child:

1. Stop worrying about pleasing parents, peers and society. In actuality, teens should focus on finding their own happiness and if they are going to compete, they should compete with themselves. For example, striving for acceptance into only the most elite universities or the most expensive colleges is not always healthy. Attending a university because a friend or family member “say so” shouldn’t be the main motivation. Focus on finding the college or university experience that caters to each particular child and their area of interest and strengths.
2. Speak Up; Speak Out! Many of us have been taught to speak when it’s our turn. But today, many of our children don’t speak enough or voice their opinions. Ideally, it’s good for them to know that when they speak up, they will be listened to and their thoughts will have merit. When adults engage in these discussions with their children, it helps release stress that may otherwise accumulate inside. Over time, stress can become depression. Sharing and speaking up gives young people the opportunity to also build confidence. As a parent or educator, you’re also able to observe certain behaviors and messaging that they are exhibiting that might indicate “stuff” they are dealing with.
3. Spend less time trying to be perfect! Sometimes children, especially girls, make decisions to impress others.  As adults, we need to identify trends and behaviors where our children may be succumbing to abnormal peer and societal pressures. With the pervasive nature of Social Media platforms, our children are subjected to judgment and pressures not only in their immediate peer group, but now on a global scale – – thanks to technology. Spend time speaking with your teen regarding their decisions and pay attention to their online habits.

As Parents and educators, we can have a tremendous impact on the lives or our young people.  By paying attention to them and engaging them in frequent conversation we can begin to minimize the impact of Anxiety, Stress and Depression, one child at a time.

ABOUT BIZNOVATOR:
BIZNOVATOR is a youth empowerment platform that offers a year-round experience for young people interested in entrepreneurship, social innovation and global leadership. Through our seminars, workshops, summer camps and in school Academies, BIZNOVATOR helps young people to DISCOVER their purpose, TRANSFORM their mindset and CONNECT to their future.  We have recently launched our Online Learning Platform, www.mybiznovator.com which enables young people from all over the world to experience our unique BIZNOVATOR programs. We invite you to join us!

Juan Pablo Casimiro is Founder and CEO of BIZNOVATOR. With more than 30 years of empowering youth and adults globally, Casimiro never misses a moment to teach, coach and challenge his clients to live their dreams. Casimiro was born in Dominican Republic and grew up in New York City.