Behavioural Bytes Archives
It's no secret that unemployment is a major issue amongst South African youth, with nearly 45.5% not in education, employment or training. What is often overlooked, however, is the profound impact this has on mental wellbeing.
Consider the emotional toll of sending countless applications without response, facing repeated rejections, or experiencing unsuccessful interviews. These continuous setbacks create a perfect storm for anxiety and depression amongst young people - an already vulnerable demographic in our challenging socioeconomic landscape.
Recent reporting in a Times Live article reveals these insights:
- Only 55% of young people would speak openly about their mental health struggles.
- Many suffer in silence until reaching breaking point.
- Prolonged unemployment correlates with rising cases of depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
- Black women and young people are disproportionately affected, with unemployment rates of 39.8% and 46.1% respectively.
As we approach challenges from a behavioural science perspective, we understand the neurological impact of chronic stress and uncertainty. The psychological burden of unemployment affects both individuals and communities by hampering our collective potential, which is why a collective solution is required.
Doing our bit, especially during Mental Health Awareness Week, we're highlighting the critical need for brain health literacy that can break down the persistent stigma around mental health challenges. Brainmatters.info aims to do precisely that: explaining various brain-related conditions in a way that frames them accurately - as legitimate brain health issues, not something that's merely "in your head" or a personal failing.
Whilst we might not be able to solve unemployment immediately, we can equip unemployed youth with the knowledge to recognise their brain health struggles, understand the neurological impact of chronic stress, and feel empowered to reach out for appropriate support before reaching crisis point.
See the original article here: https://lnkd.in/dtDuV8Mk
