According to the results of the joint
research
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus and the UN International Children's Organization (UNICEF), 86% of young people in Cyprus feel very anxious and uncertain about the future. 75% constantly experience stress and psychological pressure. Not all of them know where and how they can get psychological help.
60% of survey participants admitted that they need professional support from a psychologist or psychotherapist. Only
43%
some of them turned to a specialist for help. Others reported being held back by shame, fear of being judged, a lack of friendly support spaces, lack of information and difficulty accessing the right services, particularly for those living in villages.
We don't always know where to turn. And even if help is available, we don’t feel like these services are meant for us.
One of the participants in the study of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF
The report highlights that
75%
mental disorders manifest themselves before the age of 25. That is why early prevention and psychological support in schools, technical schools, colleges and universities are so important. The number of requests to school psychologists is growing every year: in the 2020-2021 academic year, their number exceeded 7,700.
The report calls on the Cypriot authorities to strengthen prevention and early intervention measures, and to involve young people in improving mental health services.
— These data are an alarming signal. Behind the numbers are real young people who deserve understanding, sympathy and support, says Alexandros Tifas, an employee of the Cyprus Ministry of Health.
The study results were published on Mental Health Day, which is celebrated around the world on October 10. An awareness campaign has been launched in Cyprus with the hashtags #OnMyMind, #MoreToSay, #SpeakOpenly, #It'sWhatYouFeel and #NormaliseIt. Its goal is to start a dialogue about mental health among schoolchildren and students and inspire young people to take action.
One
from
examples
informational
campaigns
Today is World Mental Health Day. It is important to remember: your inner state is no less important than your physical health. You're calm, tired, anxious, or just don't know what you're feeling—all of this is normal.
You are not alone. “What if I don’t succeed?” “I feel like I’m losing control...” If you are thinking these thoughts, stop and take a deep breath. Many people experience anxiety about the future and panic attacks, but there are ways to regain peace of mind.
Three simple steps to cope with stress
1) Acknowledge your feelings. They are real and you don't need to suppress them.
2) Focus on what you can control. Do everything gradually, step by step.
3) Try techniques that help you calm down. One of them is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It will restore calm and a sense of soil under your feet.
Technique 5-4-3-2-1
Five items.
Look around you and name five things you see.
Four sounds.
Listen to the world around you and pay attention to four sounds that you can hear.
Three things.
Focus on tactile sensations by touching three objects and noticing their texture (smooth, rough, soft).
Two smells.
Notice two smells you can smell.
One taste.
Focus on one taste, such as the taste of your own tongue, or something you eat or drink.
Article on the topic
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deep psychological trauma among students in Cyprus. How to deal with them?
