What is Teen Mental Fitness?
To effectively improve mental health among teenagers and young people, a paradigm shift from reactive and "one-off" approaches to proactive strategies is crucial regarding the learning of how to build "mental strength."
A preventive approach not only reduces the risk of developing long-term psychological issues but also empowers young people to actively manage their well-being and perform better in their sport and school.
Why Proactively?
Early interventions
Studies show that 40% of lifelong mental illness starts by age 14. As such, it is important to introduce mental health education early and equip youth with tools and methods for prevention. These early efforts provide young people with the resources needed to manage stress and emotional challenges before they escalate. We know that everyone will face setbacks; early intervention teaches them to handle them in the best way possible.
Build resilience
Resilience, or the ability to handle stress and recover from setbacks, is a cornerstone of mental well-being.
By teaching young people how to build resilience through the methods available today in therapy, psychology, and sports psychology, and giving them the opportunity to practice these over time with repetition, long-term benefits for their mental health can be achieved.
Engagement through relevant tools
The digital age offers unique opportunities to engage young people in mental training. Interactive tools and technologies, especially those that resonate with youth who are digitally savvy, can make mental health exercises more accessible and appealing.
With methods like “gamification” and “streaks” found in other popular apps, we can create engaging training over time for young people.
Increased self-awareness
As the level of self-awareness and general well being increases and spreads among more youth, there is also a halo effect of greater awareness, recognition and support of others. Over time, this strengthens the resilience of the group or community.
Increased knowledge among important adults
In a group of young people where adults participate in the conversation about mental health, adults, too, develop greater self-awareness, courage, and methods for earlier integration and intervention with youth when needed.
Universal, Fun and
Preventive solution
The future of youth mental health lies in adopting solutions that are preventive, universally accessible, and fun.
* Dray 2017 & Malik, 2021
Accessibility
Programs and exercises for mental health must be widely available and easy to access for all young people, regardless of background or circumstances.
Engagement
Programs for mental health should be designed to engage young people through interactive and fun activities, and leverage technology and gamification when appropriate.
Sustainability
Effective strategies for mental health must be sustainable and provide continuous support and resources that young people can rely on as they grow and face new challenges.
By prioritizing these components, we can create a world where every youth has the tools and support they need to thrive mentally and emotionally.
A proactive, preventive strategy is not just an option – it is a necessity in the fight against the global mental health crisis among young people.
Teen Mental Fitness – White Paper
Nyfiken på mer? Ladda ned vår white paper om Teen Mental Fitness genom att fylla i detta formulär.
