Murders and suicides are what we hear about the most lately. Both the bullies and the victims are in most cases young people. According to experts, suicides are the result of depression, anxiety, and imposed models of behavior that a young person believes he/she cannot fulfill. Murders, on the other hand, are also consequences of behavioral and mental health disorders. But if we know what the effects are, can we find the cause?
There are various causes that lead to negative effects on mental health, citizens believe, and the profession confirms it. At the top of the list is the virtual world that imposes values that should serve as an example of how to live, which is why we ignore reality. Older citizens also see the causes in parents who increasingly lose control over their children.
“It seems to me that we have neglected nature, walks, trips, hanging out with friends, sometimes we sit alone at home and type on our phones with our children, with our husband/wife… I think that trend should change and that we should turn more to nature and to ourselves”.
As profession says, when it comes to children, excessive looking at the screen and social networks can lead to acquired autism, and when it comes to young people, it can lead to depression, anxiety and ultimately mental pain that overrides rational thinking and can end in suicide. Observation, and conversation can be a lifesaver.
“I think that the only thing we can do is to raise awareness of how important it is for people to recognize the resources in society in such moments of mental pain, to recognize in the environment who would be trustworthy people to help them. Sometimes it’s family members, sometimes it’s professionals,” explained psychotherapist Alma Tihic.
Mental disorders caused by new addictions, including addiction to modern technologies and trends, are also described in the new version of the international classification of diseases. They refer to the last thirty years, and doctors say that it is more serious every year. A new classification also means new methods in treatment, and education itself takes time.
Apart from new addictions, we should not forget the old factors that leave consequences for the mental health of all generations. Crises, poverty, inflation, inability to find a job and progress, difficulties with adjustment and many other situations sometimes lead to hopeless situations, and this is best shown by the fact that from 2005 until today, the number of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) who end their lives is constantly increasing.
E.Dz.
