The year 2020 was such a difficult year for many, and even myself mentally.  COVID-19 created many unexpected life changes, mental health issues, and stress particularly in adolescents and young adults. In addition, females in particular experienced increased depression and panic/somatic symptoms.

The social isolation of the pandemic, on top of a year of racial strife has taken a uniquely harsh toll on the well being of young people.

The mental health needs of young people have failed to be addressed in our society as no one is immune to the psychological toll of this pandemic.

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Youths are suffering in ways that we have barely began to grasp such as, isolation, depression, anxiety, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, and the rise in self harm; proving that our mental health is just as important as our physical health, we cannot have one without the other.

It is vital we take care of our mental health the same way we take care of our physical health.

We take care of our physical health by eating healthy, exercising, avoiding excessive alcohol use, going to the doctor for check ups, and much more. However, as a society it seems that we have been disconnected in taking care of ourselves mentally.

Some things that we can do to in order to take care of ourselves mentally is speaking to a therapist about issues in order to help relieve stress, practicing mediation, reading the word and getting closer to God as it relaxes both body and mind. In addition, doing more things that we enjoy and love.

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How Can We Work with Youths Today?

Mentoring youth especially in times like this is very essential

Mentoring helps youths as they go through these challenging life experiences

A mentor guides an inexperienced person

Mentoring is the process of teaching, guiding, and advising.

An effective mentor understands that his or her role is to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of the mentee

Creating supportive relationships between mentor/mentee forms a positive outcome

 

So Let’s tie mentoring in from a biblical standpoint.

Jesus was our first mentor.

 He mentored the disciples ......As they were together

He taught them from ordinary events that happened by initiating discussions with them and taught them all that he knew.  

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"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Jesus called men to be his disciples, most of them were fishermen but Jesus said he will make them “Fishers of Men” St. Matt. 4:19

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Jesus mentored his disciples how to win the souls of men

God allows us to see through his word from Titus 2, as it speaks to not giving too Much wine. As this was a common failing within older women in Roman in Greek culture

Many youths today who are experiencing mental health issues heavily depend on alcohol consumption and even hardcore drugs as an escape route. It is important to have a mentor to help the mentee, in order guide them in the right direction.

 

Based on the Scripture, the older men and women are needed because they are able to give instruction to the young. They have experience and have gone through these challenges and can guide the inexperienced in the right direction.

In Titus 2,  A woman is a  teacher of good things; A trainer of younger women; Self controlled; Pure in thoughts; and a worker at home.

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If the older women have special challenges, they also have special opportunities. God can use their wisdom and experience as they admonish the young women.

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Drug/Alcohol captures the mind, preventing those from thinking straight. This is why we have these mental challenges today. The mind is taken up into negative thoughts and emotions.

The church is here as a foundation; it is here to help the youth. Within the church there are experienced mentors who act as a guide for the mentee’s because many have gone through these troubles times and are here to instruct the younger and inexperienced in the right path.

Mentors in the church are “sober” in Gods word, they lean upon God’s word in order for them to help the youth.

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Some youths, especially those who use alcohol consumption as an escape route to their problems do not have that steady foundation when it comes to the word of God. However, the older and more experienced, seasoned Christians in God word are able to help the young to relieve them from the anxiety and other mental health issues. They are able to show them a new route and to bring the mind back to a good focus in order for them to move forward more positively.

 

There is a deep hunger in our youth and young adults—a hunger for love, for truth, for meaning, for belonging, and for purpose that the culture cannot satisfy. This hunger is satisfied in friendship with Jesus Christ—a friendship that leads to community in his Church and to fruitful sharing of love and care with those in need.

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There is "Hope" and  Jesus is our only "Hope"