PEA - How World Events Affect Teen Mental Health

Every action counts. We cannot stand idle while conflict threatens the future of our youth. The wellbeing of teens across the world is at risk due to war crimes and pervasive poverty. Join us in raising awareness and taking action to support these young lives. Together, we can make a difference.

This is a series which features video testimonials from teens around the world to share their experiences with mental health in their countries.

Videos out now:

Ukrainian teens explain how they've been affected by the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.

Transcript: Teenagers are a resilient bunch. They are full of energy, hope, and dreams for the future. But what happens when those dreams are shattered by war?

"I don't sleep well at night; I have nightmares all the time."

"I feel like I've lost hope for the future."

"Ukraine, it surprises the whole world, not only in humanitarian aspects, but also in political and military aspects. We need economic assistance and supply and defense resources. All of this is critical for a step in the war and restoring peace."

On screen: Every action counts. We cannot stand idle while conflict threatens the future of our youth. The wellbeing fo teens across Ukraine is at risk due to war crimes and pervasive poverty. Join us in raising awareness and taking action to support these young lives. Together, we can make a difference.

Indian teen details mental health effects of their rigorous college-entrance exams.

Transcript: Exam pressure on teens in India is a significant concern with many students facing immense stress and anxiety due to the highly competitive education system. The pressure to perform well on exams, particularly 10th and 12th standards can be overwhelming, leading to long hours of study, sacrifice of extracurriculars, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

The societal emphasis on securing higher grades and gaining admission to top colleges and universities adds to stress, making it difficult for teens to cope. Moreover, the fear of disappointing parents, teachers, and peers can further exacerbate the pressure, making it a challenging time for teens in India.

It is essential to address these issues and create a supportive environment for teens to cope.

Sri Lankan mother details the mental tolls of national school exams and the long term stressors of performing poorly.

Transcript:

Siena: Hello!

Guest: Hello, hi! First of all, I'm from Sri Lanka.

Mahika: So, what do you think is the biggest mental health challenge in Sri Lanka?

Guest: There are a few major things. First off, most elders get mental health issues with money problems. That's the first thing. And, [for] teenagers, there are a few problems: their education, family pressure, and the third thing is their gender identity. That's a big deal in Sri Lanka. As I know, Sri Lanka has the most extreme examinations in [the] whole world. So, every child should take 13 years of school and mainly we have to pass three examinations. So it's like when you guys go to junior [high], and high school, and then university--something like that. On the last exam, if you don't get good marks, you can't go to university. If you can't go to university, you can't get a very good earning job. There are few jobs, but they're not enough money for a living, because living cost here is so high.

Mahika: Nice to meet you, thank you so much. Have a good day!

Guest: NIce to meet you, bye.

Sri Lankan mother details the mental tolls of national school exams and the long term stressors of doing poorly on them.

Transcript:

Guest: Hi

Siena: Hello! Where are you from?

Guest: I'm from England, United Kingdom.

Mahika: What do you think is the biggest mental health challenge in the UK for teenagers?

Guest: Probably depression. I mean like school, family—family's a big thing. From other people, what I hear is that [for those with family issues], they have to go into social services and that puts a toll on their mental health. I'm not really educated on that, but I want to be more educated on it.

Mahika: Do you think that England has resources for teens with mental health issues? Or do they not really care about it that much?

Guest: Yeah, I feel like they do have resources for it, especially in schools.

Siena and Mahika: That's good. Well, thank you so much for answering our questions!

Guest: Thank you so much asking me!

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Guest 2: Hi!

Siena: What country are you from?

Guest 2: I'm from England.

Siena: What is the biggest mental health problem in England?

Guest 2 and 3 : Depression