Luckily, nowadays, the topic of mental health is more widely discussed, not only in the public area, but also specifically among employers. Organizations that prioritize awareness happen to fully realize that success of a company depends on people and their well-being. It does not only influence the overall atmosphere at work, but also the quality and pace of projects’ realization, as well as financial benefits of a company.

As a matter of fact, among other groups, young people tend to seek knowledge regarding mental health as well as professional assistance in the most mindful way. Those are primarily students, who very often find themselves at the beginning of their professional career. While applying for various jobs, the vast majority of young people tend to opt for companies that take good care of the psychological safety of their employees.

“It’s not best to make generalizations, however, due to the fact that young people feel more accustomed to speaking openly about their mental health and not treating it as taboo, it often happens that more and more young people come to us, specialists, seeking therapeutic assistance” says Aneta Kaniewska, psychotherapist of Helping Hand.

We decided to take a closer look at the most common reasons that push young people towards seeking professional help and making appointments with psychotherapists. We asked three of our professionals in Helping Hand to share their observations regarding that topic.

What problems are usually hard to deal with for young people? What burdens their mental health the most?

The specialists at Helping Hand have put the most common problems into various categories:

• those related to one’s daily life – excessive workload and too many tasks/materials to study often lead one to isolation and lacking time for building closer relationships or to neglecting work-life balance;
• those related to pressure and evaluation of their work, their actions, and results – at university and in the workplace – young women, in particular, fear that they might neglect something and, as a result, be negatively judged, or fall short of achieving their goals by just one point, which could ultimately prevent them from securing a job in their desired profession;
• those related to family bonds: some people, after leaving their family home, either significantly limit or completely distance themselves from their parents/family, or they actually manage to improve family bonds by loosening them – the absence of reasons and opportunities for constant arguments with parents fosters more positive and peaceful communication;
• those related to building and maintaining social and romantic relationships: entering a new environment is not always easy, and forming truly close friendships or building a relationship can be challenging;
• those related to the sense of lack of control over one’s own life;
• those related to financial problems.

How do mental health issues among young people and students affect their lives?

One of the major sources of difficulty in one’s daily life is the overwhelming amount of negative information in the world. With constant access to the internet, within seconds, young people are bombarded by news about climate disasters, genocide, wars, diseases, and violence. According to psychologist and therapist Marta Banout, this relentless exposure to negative information, combined with the limited ability to influence these events, often leads to feelings of helplessness and profound sadness.

Psychotherapist Aneta Kaniewska highlights another crucial aspect: the excessive pressure surrounding the choice of education and the choice of career paths. Social media, along with school and university rankings, exacerbate this pressure. While many young people benefit from the financial support provided by their parents and have more opportunities, this advantage paradoxically creates anxiety about making the wrong choice. The mindset of "I can do anything, so I must choose the best option" leads to perfectionism, uncertainty about long-term decisions, and fear of disappointing one’s parents.

Anna Dobrzańska, a psychotherapist, works with young women, particularly students. Most of them come to her with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosomatic issues. In the majority of cases, these symptoms stem from issues with women’s self-perception, as they often tend to perceive themselves as "not enough"—not good enough, not intelligent or ambitious enough, not enough involved in their academic or practical work, or not organized enough. They feel pressure to measure up to their parents’ success or to fulfill their parents' unachieved dreams and ambitions. Above all, they are driven by the desire to prove that they are valuable and "good enough."

Anna Dobrzańska also highlights how the sense of a lack of control over their lives often leads young women to develop eating disorders. In an attempt to regain agency and control, they meticulously analyze the nutritional content and weight of food, continually raising the bar for themselves. They may also turn to cosmetic procedures to improve their appearance, as well as various medications and supplements. This cycle becomes exhausting, resembling a vicious cycle of tremendous effort without the real possibility of ever achieving satisfaction.

Excessive pressure, constant stress, the feeling of losing control, the sense of isolation, or problems with superficial relationships, combined with the easy access to substances, especially in big cities, contribute to students seeking temporary relief from anxiety and racing thoughts. To ease tension and improve concentration—particularly during exam periods—many turn to marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and prescription medications, such as those prescribed for ADHD. This often results in addiction, leaving young people without the strength to cope with everyday problems without using such substances.

Which symptoms should attract the attention of someone's loved ones and their employers? 

The impact of mental health issues on young people can vary to a great extent, depending on the type and severity of the problems - explains psychotherapist Marta Banout - It can range from difficulties with concentrating on studies or work to challenges in forming interpersonal relationships, be it friendships or romantic connections, and even lead to financial problems. It's important to pay attention to any noticeable, long-term changes in one’s mood or behavior, such as avoiding meetings with friends or social gatherings, or changes in how someone spends their free time. It's also worth observing changes in their speech. “An increase in negative thinking or the tendency to imagine "worst-case scenarios" can be meaningful in that matter.” - Banout further emphasizes that prolonged, intense stress or other emotional difficulties can lead to the development of depression. Stress is not insignificant when it comes to physical health either; it can trigger somatic symptoms or exacerbate existing conditions and illnesses.

“Withdrawal from interactions with others, difficulties in making and keeping commitments, irritability and outbursts, excessive crying, a constant sense of fatigue and exhaustion when performing daily activities, and feeling "overstimulated" are symptoms that should seriously concern both us and those around us” says Aneta Kaniewska “It is advisable to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist for guidance and professional advice. Prolonged, intense stress and emotional problems have significant impact on both mental and physical health”.

Kaniewska further explains that psychosomatic symptoms such as migraines, trouble falling asleep, a persistent sense of physical exhaustion, digestive issues, muscle problems, and back pain can lead to serious complications and illnesses if left unexamined.

It is undeniable that awareness of the importance of mental well-being among the younger generation is steadily increasing. 

“Mental health stigma is diminishing, and young people are becoming less afraid to visit psychologists or psychiatrists. Nowadays, speaking about such matters publicly is no longer—at least among younger generations—associated with shame, which allows many to seek effective help more quickly” emphasizes Marta Banout, a psychotherapist working with Helping Hand.

Psychotherapist Anna Dobrzańska adds: “Many young people are referred to a psychologist by a psychiatrist, who suggests that in addition to medication, long-term therapeutic interventions addressing the root of the problem can be beneficial”.

Aneta Kaniewska, another psychotherapist, explains that: “Often, the initial motivation to see a therapist comes from diagnoses such as depression, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or gender dysphoria”. She notes that, in some cases, these diagnoses serve as a starting point for uncovering other underlying issues, such as personality disorders or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). C-PTSD often arises from prolonged trauma, particularly from various forms of neglect—emotional, physical, or material—within the family.

The above-presented answers were provided by psychotherapists working with Helping Hand: Aneta Kaniewska, Anna Dobrzańska, and Marta Banout.

[The material was collected by Anna Kruszczyńska]