The modern way of life has also brought numerous challenges related to mental health that are becoming more and more visible, especially among young people. We talked with Vedina Ajanović, psychologist and our alumni, about the prevention, treatment and support necessary for building healthy and stable generations.
With her rich experience and dedication to this field, Vedina provides invaluable insight into better understanding and providing support to those who need it most.
What are the most common causes of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents today?
Symptoms of depression and anxiety occur in response to stressful events but may also occur without external influences. Family heredity, i.e. if a child has one parent who has depression, makes them more likely to react to stress with depressive symptoms. Then, the influence of hormones (the stress hormone—cortisol—and sex hormones during puberty) on biological changes in the brain can lead to various symptoms. Dysfunctional family relationships: poor relationships between parents and children, marital problems, divorce, domestic violence or bereavement can significantly affect mental health of children. Peer bullying, lack of acceptance within peer groups, and difficulties adjusting at school can also be indicative of low socioeconomic status. At the first signs of symptoms, it is crucial to seek professional help and support.
How do the family dynamic affect children’s mental health?
In addition to inheriting temperament from their parents, as a foundation for emotional development, the child also learns to model their behavior and how to deal with almost everything that is awaiting at every stage of development. If parents are affected by external stresses such as unemployment, unfavorable economic conditions, natural disasters or illnesses affecting family members, this can negatively influence the child’s mental health. However, the extent of this impact largely depends on the parents’ ability to cope with these challenges. Their responses to stressful situations and their problem-solving approaches affect children’s mental well-being, whether positively or negatively. Issues within the family—poor marital relations between the parents and instances of psychological or physical violence—can undermine the child’s self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall self-image, as the child identifies with and sees themselves in their parents.
How does mental health view social media and the viral world?
Social media, along with technological advancements in general, has become an integral part of the lives of both young people and adults. In many ways, it facilitates access to information and communication, but we cannot ignore its negative impact on mental health. The need to present an “ideal self” through social media can distort one’s real self-image.
The positive effect lies in the sense of belonging that users feel within peer communities based on shared interests, which helps build collective self-esteem. However, problems arise when an adolescent becomes overly focused on and preoccupied with “likes.” If the number of likes is not satisfactory, they may feel unaccepted or inadequate. As a result, they might spend excessive time trying to create content that will receive positive peer feedback, neglecting other aspects of life such as education, hobbies, and family time—or even developing an unhealthy self-obsession. In severe cases, this can lead to a loss of awareness of reality and one’s own identity.
How to deal with peer pressure and bullying at school, especially when it comes to online bullying?
First of all, it is necessary to build a relationship with the child so that they feel free to share information about any form of peer violence; a relationship in which the child knows that you will support them, that you will not judge them and that you will help them to solve a problem; a relationship in which the child feels safe. Trauma arises not only because of the disturbing experience we experienced, but also because there was no one to help us at that moment. The most important thing is to give the child permission to defend themselves, to teach them to distinguish an attack from a defense. When the child knows and believes they can defend and stand up for themselves, they will not feel powerless. Thus, they will have greater self-esteem and confidence. The child needs to be provided with professional psychological support, where they will work on unpleasant or traumatic experiences in a safe space and learn that it is not their fault that they have experienced peer violence.
When it comes to cyberbullying, the aggravating factor is the speed of information dissemination and the existence of a written record of the abuse. In the case of cyberbullying, support for the child is provided in the same way.
How important is it to create a safe and supportive environment for the mental health of children and adolescents? How can we all together, inspired by the example of the Hastor Foundation, contribute to strengthening the sense of belonging, self-confidence and emotional stability among young people in our communities?
Since its establishment, the Hastor Foundation has been an example of building healthy personalities in many children throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. It teaches us how to overcome differences, strengthen community, accept and support each other, learn, grow and progress. Each scholar feels belonging and acceptance in the large community of the Hastor Foundation, and this is one of the foundations on which the mental health of the individual and the community is built.
