3 suicides by youths in the last 11 days. 19 suicides in the last year. Disturbing headlines, aren’t they?

Stress is our response to a perceived threat or challenge, making it difficult to relax, concentrate, and causing headaches, pain, stomach upsets, trouble sleeping, and even leading to the development of eating disorders. There is no separation between mind and body; our bodies respond to our physiological environment. Stress can influence cellular aging, weaken our immune system, and affect our DNA.

Prolonged stress leads to mental health conditions like depression. Chronic stress may lead to substance abuse.

We can overcome stress through:

✓ Breathwork.

✓ Yoga.

✓ Exercise.

✓ Practicing mindfulness and meditation.

✓ Using journaling for self-expression.

This increase in mental health issues, especially among students, is concerning. Given the contrasting challenges and their effects in the present scenario, it’s important to acknowledge that the younger generation has a different level of consciousness, awareness, sensitivity, and alignment with the environment. Measuring their challenges and responses, and passing judgment, does not help.

▪ If we believe that the younger generation has more ‘givens,’ they also have to trade off much more of what we took for granted, like family time, close bonds within family or friends, and free time, which we had in plenty.

Additionally, distractions and indulgences have multiplied over time.

▪ Trying to navigate through STRESS alone can lead to breakdowns—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

▪ Suppressing feelings and emotions leads to the numbing of the mind and body, and can result in addictions and self-punishment, setting a downward course.

▪ Constant internalization of feelings and emotions leads to numbness and detachment, preventing one from experiencing joy and oneness.

❖ Stress results in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

❖ Stress induces physical symptoms such as headaches and gastrointestinal issues, as well as chronic pain.

❖ Stress causes emotional distress, leading to feelings of disconnection, irritability, anger, and sadness.

❖ Chronic stress weakens the immune system.

➢ A tried and trusted way to release stress is ‘venting.’

• Nothing can beat one-on-one open and honest communication that provides support, empathy, clarity, and personal growth.
• Venting promotes emotional release and provides a safe outlet for expressing emotions and feelings.
• Venting alleviates tension, making room for positive emotions to emerge.
• Venting enhances communication by sharing feelings and thoughts.
• Venting fosters connections and healthier relationships.
• Venting promotes problem-solving by offering clarity, perspective, and solutions.
• Venting builds self-awareness.
• Venting provides emotional insights and opportunities for self-reflection and self-expression through creative arts.

❖ Mentors, teachers, and parents should create opportunities for young people and students to vent their emotions and feelings. Make time to establish connections and communication to prevent negative events.

❖ Seek timely expert advice for self-referral.

❖ Feel free to share suggestions in the comments section below.