International Youth Day is commemorated every year on August 12, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. The youth of Goa are the future of the state and they have been showing great potential in different fields.
This year, the theme of International Youth Day focuses on the need to connect digitally with ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’. These digital technologies include mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence. According to a study in 2022, nearly three quarters of youngsters in the age group of 15 to 24 years were using the Internet which is higher than other age groups. The pandemic put the mobile phone in the hands of every school going students and now these same students are studying in college.
As time changes, new problems emerge which require a better understanding. With social media and the constant need to connect with friends online, mental health issues among teens have been rising for more than a decade.
Sharmila Menezes worked as a coordinator of the Counseling Centre at Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science for 12 years and is currently working as a college counsellor at Rosary College, Navelim. In addition, she also does private counselling for young adolescents.
“As we celebrate International Youth Day, as a psychologist I think youth, particularly in the age group between 13 and 22 face many challenges as this is the most awkward growth stage of their lives. During this time, many of them are exposed to some overwhelming external and internal struggles like facing identity crisis and feel the want to be accepted amongst their peers. At this age, youth also undergo pressure of being forced into addictions, relationships, and encounter academic stress. They feel misunderstood and get stressed very quickly,” says Sharmila.
Speaking about the stigma of approaching a counselor, she says, “Since counselling centres are there in every school and college, a big change is seen where more students are seeking counselling and the stigma of visiting a counselling centre is bridged. Mental wellness is become a priority and this is because of the awareness created through different mediums like talks, workshops, peer group interactions by counsellors, teachers, social workers and NGO’s.”
She adds, “Some of the other pressing psychological issues faced by teens today are body image, stress, family conflicts due to generation gaps, cyber addiction, anxiety, anger management and defiant behaviours. Not surprisingly, all of these common problems are connected to one another, in some way. However, it does not mean that having one would lead to the other. As counsellors and psychologists, we can help teens to address these issues through therapy and nurture their social and mental wellbeing for a happier life.”
Zaneta D’Mello was a counsellor at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa since 2021 and is now counselling at Don Bosco College, Panjim. She says, “Due to the usage of phones during the pandemic, students are facing difficulties in sustaining attention for a longer duration. The phone has now become a security as it was once upon a time their classroom. The age group that is using devices is getting younger and they have to get follow a pattern to follow the phone to balance academics and social media.”
Some of the other issues that youngsters face is problems with relationships specially family dynamics, relationship with significant others, friend circles and even financial difficulties which come to the fore at the college level. There is emotional difficulties, addiction, mental health issues which are also significant. However, the good news is that many youngsters are open to approaching counselors.
Cipriano Fernandes is currently counselling students at MES College in Zuarinagar besides his own centre, Wellness Counseling Centre in Panjim. “When it comes to the usage of the phones among youngsters, it is mostly validation that they are seeking. In romantic relationships, possessiveness and even violence, either physical or verbal, in a relationship is taken as accepted. Youngsters mostly share their experiences with their peers who might have also experienced the same and they don’t share this with the parents who would guide them in the right way. Compared to youngsters in the 1990s, now the physical age is lower but their emotional quotient and intellectual quotient is higher and they even if one feels they are not serious in a relationship, they are very serious
and find it difficult to cut off ties,”
says Cipriano.
Another rising issue is how youngsters are dealing with separation of their parents. With many youngsters now living with single parents, it important on how they deal with separation. “It is 80 percent of how they parent takes the separation and deal with the situation. If it is on mutual grounds that it helps the child as they are often mirror the parent that they are living with. Some parents even bring their child for counselling along with them which all shows why sometimes separation is needed for a healthy relationship,” says Cipriano, who was also helping with counselling for Childline in North Goa.
Donna Noronha is the coordinator of COOJ Foundation and has been a part of it for over 14 years. She says, “Social media has also led to loneliness. Youngsters are on every digital platform, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and they are bold to post personal details without any filter about the consequences. Relationships are mostly based on texting and when they physically meet the person, they don’t how to interact. Social media has also led to isolation as they develop introverted personality. Humans are meant to build communities but if youngsters don’t interact without their phones, it can lead to mental health issues.”
Gen Z is the first generation to be born into digital technology. Communicating through digital channels, like social media, comes naturally to Gen Zers. These online platforms offer a new way to discuss and debate social issues. They, unfortunately, are also vulnerable to the spread of fake news and misinformation given their significant digital presence.