Youth Anxiety: Causes and Support Initiatives

The Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney receives weekly referrals for five young individuals requiring emotional health and wellbeing support. This charity initiated efforts to address this demand following a three-year grant of £300,000, secured in 2021 from the Social Investment Fund and the Channel Islands lottery. Three Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) have undergone training and subsequently provided sessions for children and their families. The Youth Commission is currently seeking additional funding to ensure the continuation of this program. An inquiry arises regarding the sources of stress experienced by young people on the island. Amelie, a teenager and member of the Commission’s Youth Forum, stated that numerous young individuals perceive themselves to be under significant pressure. “Everyone is stressed about school, then when you get home and you’re tired and burnt out, there’s more,” she said.”A lot of it stems from social media. I’ve got class chat notifications constantly pinging on my phone and everything is right on top of me.”In Guernsey, you can’t go out without seeing people you know. Everything’s really full on, and you can never get away from anything. There’s constant pressure.” Amelie noted that schools do not receive adequate acknowledgment for the assistance they offer to young individuals. However, she emphasized the significant value of groups that support young people with particular issues, such as loneliness, family caregiving, or grief, prior to reaching a crisis stage. She added that this is precisely where the Youth Commission’s efforts become relevant. Data from the 2022 Guernsey Young People’s Survey revealed a decrease in the number of children aged 10 to 15 reporting high self-esteem and contentment with their identity. Consequently, the Youth Commission sought funding for three staff members to acquire an EMHP qualification via Southampton University. Upon completing their training, these individuals conducted individual mental health sessions for 140 young people and 95 group workshops for parents and children, offering guidance on problem-solving, anxiety and depression management, and enhancing emotional wellbeing. The commission aims to persist in providing these sessions and is actively seeking additional financial support for this purpose. According to Angie Robinson, an educational therapist specializing in psychological safety within school environments, young people ought to feel empowered to seek assistance and commit errors without apprehension. “What helps young people with the stress and anxiety of their daily lives is social connection, with good mentors,” she said.”We need to create pockets of joy, where young people can enjoy meaningful moments of connection, with other people doing worthwhile things that are healthy and safe.” She indicated that academic pressures and social media influence are exacerbated by broader global issues, such as the cost of living crisis, which imposes financial burdens on families. “That trickles down to our young people,” she said. Ms. Robinson encouraged parents and grandparents to provide affection and a sense of security. She advised: “Encourage sharing and really listen without trying to problem-solve. Validate those emotions and ask open-ended questions. Model healthy coping strategies when dealing with your own anxiety.” “It doesn’t have to take hours. You can spend 10 minutes with a child, having a deep conversation or asking their opinion, and it can be very meaningful.”