41% of adolescents in Spain have had or believe they have had a mental health problem in the last year, although more than half have not asked for help and a third have not told anyone.
They are data from Barometer of adolescent opinion on mental health prepared by Unicef in collaboration with the University of Seville, with the perceptions of nearly 5,000 young people between 13 and 18 years old collected in 168 educational centers in Spain.
“There is a very significant change about mental health, more is known, more is talked about, but there is a lack of data and better knowledge; our adolescents are increasingly normalizing talking about mental health or identifying possible problems, but There is still a certain stigma around the subject.“explained José María Vera, executive director of UNICEF Spain during the presentation of the study.
Just over half do not ask for help
51.4% have not asked anyone for help when they have had a mental health problem because they do not know who to turn to or they do not consider the problem to be important.
According to the researcher at the University of Seville and author of the report, Pilar Ramos, many adolescents with mental health problems “do not know who or where to turn and they think their problem is not important to ask for help“.
Other reasons given: six out of ten want to keep their mental health problems a secret, two out of three adolescents do not want their families or guardians to find out what is happening to them, they believe it is better to let time pass (56 %) or do not trust the staff at their educational center (56%).
Those who do ask for it, do so in their immediate surroundings.: their friends (73.6%), professional psychological help (60.8%), professionals from the educational center (34%) and from medicine and psychiatry (30%) or listening to professionals on the internet and social networks (32 .7%).
The study also shows that more than 4 out of 10 adolescents consider that their mental health problems are not important, they do not know what is happening to them or they do not know who or where to turn.
What is the role of schools?
40.5% of adolescents consider the probability that their educational center, specifically, guidance and tutoring professionals, will help them, is low or very low.
The reasons: lack of trust in the people who fill those roles (56.4%); thinking that they will not keep the secret (49.3%); believe that these professionals do not have adequate training to be able to help them (43.1%) and consider that these people have other tasks that they must attend to and do not have time (37.7%).
For José Ángel, 17 years old, one of the young people who has interpreted the data, “it is important to have someone at the center to talk to when you are pressured with exams or any other problem but they are not usually available, in addition People are afraid that their peers will see them talking to a counselor because I have a mental health problem.”
“The pressure to have good grades causes us stressalso the pressure to fit into a society and the fear of not being able to do so; All of this damages our mental health,” said Alae, 16, in the presentation of the report, and asked the media to take into account the opinions of young people and not always present them as vulnerable people.
How do you take care of mental health?
Young people believe that they take care of themselves with sleeping habits (74.9% think so), physical exercise (62.3%) and eating a balanced diet (50.6%). As external determinants, they point out a good relationship with their parents (82.6%), the support of close people (82%) and doing things that they like and make them feel good (78.6%).
Regarding the factors that harm their mental health, the researcher explained that adolescents aim to “low self-esteem, the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, having physical health problems and having financial difficulties”. “If we ask them about the external ones, they highlight being a victim of bullying either cyberbullyingand have family problems.”
More than half consider the networks they use the most (X, TikTok and Instagram) to be quite or very dangerous for their mental health, although they also recognize that they are their allies when searching for information.
“Social pressure is real, social networks can affect our mental health in an indiscreet way and little by little, but still We are in time to avoid a high level of digital poisoning“said José Ángel, member of the Unicef Spain Advisory Group.
Help another friend
Almost 8 out of 10 adolescents would offer their own help (more girls), followed by the advice of turning to family (73%), professionals (68%) or friends (59%).
Only 1 in 10 adolescents would suggest seeking help on the internet and social networks Or I would recommend not telling anyone what is happening to them.
Regarding attitudes and prejudices towards mental health problems, a large majority (78%) say they would maintain a friendship with someone their age who is visiting or has visited a mental health professional; Another 25% think people with mental health problems feel shame.
Prevention and listening to young people
Among the recommendations of the children’s defense entity is to strengthen prevention, early detection and mental health care programs in primary care and other health systems.
Also, awareness campaigns, improve knowledge and updated official data, promote the training of professionals in the educational field, encourage greater involvement of minors and promote a digital space in the key of emotional well-being.