The WCC is observing an Ecumenical International Youth Day on 12 August under the theme “Journey of Justice, Peace, and Unity: A Call to End Violence.” An online event highlighting the experiences and resilience of young people and children living amidst conflict will emphasize the urgent need for peace and support.
“The issues regarding mental health in youth are expressed in various forms of behaviour such as panic attacks, addictions, eating disorders, disruption to education and learning, and the lack of coping skills,” reads the message.
The message also addresses the consequences of failing to address mental health in youth. “Even in regions free of open conflicts and wars, children and youth who face a micro-climate of normalized violence and experience physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are also highly vulnerable,” reads the message.
Pressure to succeed in a competitive environment also influences the mental health of young people, the message notes, as do systemic challenges within society. “Living in multicultural societies which form a type of global community, offers a great variety of identification models which may contribute to either an enrichment of individuality or to the disorientation of the person,” the text reads.
The message also notes the impact of technology. “Technology helps maintain connections, communication, and relationships, and helps find support networks that may not exist locally.”
Yet technology can increase social isolation. “It can also promote comparison and competition, leading to negative self-esteem and body image,” reads the text and, when coupled with lack of awareness, leads to grave consequences. “The lack of awareness of mental health in many societies, the reluctance to discuss issues openly, and the stigma associated with mental health conditions make youth who are already vulnerable even more vulnerable.”
The impact of climate change is also a significant risk factor. “Young people often feel overwhelmed and are preoccupied by the magnitude of the impacts of climate change leading to anxiety, stress, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” reads the text.
The message includes suggested actions for faith communities to promote mental health in an informed, safe, supportive, sustainable manner in close collaboration with mental health professionals.
Originally from Webpage "The WCC"
CCD edited and reprinted with permission
世界基督教教会联合会（世基联）教会健康与治疗委员会工作组发布信息，“呼吁跨代行动，关注青少年心理健康”。
世基联于8月12日以“正义、和平与团结的旅程：呼吁结束暴力”为主题纪念普世国际青年日。当天的在线活动重点介绍生活在冲突中的青年和儿童的经历与韧性，强调对和平与支持的迫切需要。
“青少年心理健康问题表现为各种行为，如惊吓攻击、成瘾、饮食失调、教育和学习中断以及缺乏应对技能，”信息中写道。
信息中还谈到了未能解决青少年心理健康问题的后果。“即使在没有公开冲突和战争的地区，面临正常化暴力微环境并遭受身体、情感和性虐待的儿童和青少年也非常脆弱。”
在竞争环境中取得成功的压力也会影响年轻人的心理健康，社会中的系统性挑战也是如此。“在全球社区的多元文化社会中，存在多种认同模式，这些模式可能有助于丰富个性，也可能使人迷失方向，”文本写道。
信息还指出了技术的影响。“技术有助于维持联系、沟通和关系，有助于找到当地可能不存在的支持网络。”
然后，技术也会增加社会孤立。“它还可以促进比较和竞争，导致低自尊和对自己身体的负面评价，”文中写道，意识不到这些可能会导致严重的后果。“许多社会缺乏对心理健康的认识，不愿公开讨论问题，与心理健康状况相关的耻辱感使本来就脆弱的年轻人更加脆弱。”
气候变化的影响也是一个重要的风险因素。“年轻人常常感到不知所措，过于关注气候变化影响的严重程度，导致焦虑、压力、无助感和绝望感，”文中写道。
信息包括建议宗教团体采取的行动，以知情、安全、支持、可持续的方式与心理健康专业人士密切合作，促进心理健康。信息全文。
世基联教会健康与治疗委员会：呼吁跨代行动，关注青少年心理健康
The WCC is observing an Ecumenical International Youth Day on 12 August under the theme “Journey of Justice, Peace, and Unity: A Call to End Violence.” An online event highlighting the experiences and resilience of young people and children living amidst conflict will emphasize the urgent need for peace and support.
“The issues regarding mental health in youth are expressed in various forms of behaviour such as panic attacks, addictions, eating disorders, disruption to education and learning, and the lack of coping skills,” reads the message.
The message also addresses the consequences of failing to address mental health in youth. “Even in regions free of open conflicts and wars, children and youth who face a micro-climate of normalized violence and experience physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are also highly vulnerable,” reads the message.
Pressure to succeed in a competitive environment also influences the mental health of young people, the message notes, as do systemic challenges within society. “Living in multicultural societies which form a type of global community, offers a great variety of identification models which may contribute to either an enrichment of individuality or to the disorientation of the person,” the text reads.
The message also notes the impact of technology. “Technology helps maintain connections, communication, and relationships, and helps find support networks that may not exist locally.”
Yet technology can increase social isolation. “It can also promote comparison and competition, leading to negative self-esteem and body image,” reads the text and, when coupled with lack of awareness, leads to grave consequences. “The lack of awareness of mental health in many societies, the reluctance to discuss issues openly, and the stigma associated with mental health conditions make youth who are already vulnerable even more vulnerable.”
The impact of climate change is also a significant risk factor. “Young people often feel overwhelmed and are preoccupied by the magnitude of the impacts of climate change leading to anxiety, stress, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” reads the text.
The message includes suggested actions for faith communities to promote mental health in an informed, safe, supportive, sustainable manner in close collaboration with mental health professionals.
Originally from Webpage "The WCC"
CCD edited and reprinted with permission
WCC Commission Release a Message for 'A Call for Cross-Generational Action on the Mental Health of Youth'
