Dealing with mental illness in adolescents

Grade 9 students in the Collective Voice program at Aden Bowman Collegiate share their lives and opinions through columns. Selected columns run each Monday in The Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

Why would she leave me? How didn’t I notice? Am I a bad person for not being able to save her?

These are some thoughts that were left in my head when my grandma committed suicide when I was only 6 years old.

At that age, I didn’t comprehend what took place. But now that I’m older and have struggled myself, I have a more in-depth understanding. I still think about her daily.

Having a mental disorder does not only affect the individual, but others close to them. It is important to pay attention to not only the person struggling, but their family and friends as well.

I’m not saying that you should feel guilty for having a problem like mental illness. I’m saying that loved ones may also need support and guidance. It can often cause a chain reaction. If a family member takes their life or gets depressed, you may also get depressed or consider suicide.

You may find yourself asking, “How do I help a loved one deal with mental illness?” You can help by reminding them that they are loved, cared for, and have a purpose. Make it clear that they are not alone and have a support system.

Victoria Maxwell, a speaker and educator on mental illness says to, “avoid falling into the role of ‘fixer’ and ‘saviour.’ No matter how much you love someone, it cannot save them.”

Once your family has found proper professional help, such as a therapist and psychiatrist, it becomes much easier to cope with.

Personally, I struggle with mental illness and the loss of my grandma. It has been my biggest challenge so far. It does not define me, but it has shaped me into a better person in the long run.

I asked a classmate for her opinion on mental illness.

“I think that some people presume that individuals with mental illness are ‘crazy’ or, ‘not normal.’ They view it as a joke and sometimes use the word ‘insane’ as an insult. People that talk about it should be more educated and considerate,” she said.

Waking up and getting out of bed can be difficult. Imagine going to school or work and having to put on a brave face everyday. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health states that approximately 2.8 million Canadians have mental illness, 70 per cent of whom start having symptoms during adolescence.

Statistics for Indigenous teens are even more grim. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) says that suicide rates for Indigenous women ages 10 to 19 are 29 times higher than non-Indigenous women.

The FSIN has committed to release the first provincial First Nations suicide prevention strategy in the country by the end of May 2018.

In my opinion, mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about and should be talked about more openly in general. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a friend or family member, you can contact kid’s help phone at 1-800-668-6868 for support to help yourself and others.