— voicesofyouth.org

Mental health is one of the most neglected topics in Bangladesh though youths of the country have experienced serious mental health issues. They have difficulties in making decisions, carrying out tasks in a timely and efficient manner, enjoying normal day-to-day life, contributing to society, performing their duties, and living in excellent health. Syed Laden argues that the youths also acquired suicidal tendencies, felt nervous when dragged, took longer to complete tasks, felt tightness and pressure in their heads, and were subjected to various forms of pressure.

We have learned from the COVID-19 global crisis to turn the page and focus on our mental health. However, the problem existed long before the pandemic has begun. In Bangladesh, mental health has traditionally received less attention, particularly among children and young people, who are less vocal about their issues. Furthermore, concerns regarding youth's mental health and well-being are frequently ignored in Bangladeshi society, with the expectation that they will go through it.

The mental health statuses of young people as well as the relationship between mental health status and socio-demographic characteristics and stress management measures are all dependent on how well the child-parent relationship is maintained for mental health. Adolescence is simply a reflection of their parents. Children's physical and mental health suffers because of open family problems, frequent violence, angry outbursts, and fragile family ties.

A range of circumstances, like the COVID-19 epidemic, can harm youths’ mental health. These factors include the location and condition of their home, the educational and financial backgrounds of both parents, and their job status. In households where both parents work, there are fewer high-quality interactions between parents and children, both in terms of frequency and duration. Working parents frequently are unable to spend as much time with their children as is necessary for a good upbringing. Less quality time spent with parents as a child between the ages of one and five years generally leads to significant mental health disorders as an adult.

What are some of the negative consequence seen in young people as they grow up? The youths are continuously becoming irresponsible, violent, and obnoxious. They had quite a harder time controlling their emotions and focus. They were unable to focus on their academics since their minds were preoccupied with arguments. Their heightened interpersonal and behaviour issues eventually lead to conduct disorder. They become sad, engage in intentional self-harm, and eventually commit themselves. Eating disorders, headaches or stomachaches, and sleep issues plague them. Substance abuse, smoking, excessive drinking, and marijuana usage are all higher risks for them.

Parents' mental stress can have an impact on their child’s activities, the home environment, and, eventually, the mental health of their children. This problem has gotten worse in the aftermath of the pandemic, as many working parents have lost their jobs or are always on the verge of losing their jobs. As the interaction between psychologically stressed parents and their children can intensify the issue, this is leading to a rise in anxiety in the household.  To put it another way, mental stress and trauma can be handed along from parents to children.

Children's first teachers are their parents. Even when their parents are not attempting to teach them anything, they learn by observing them. Parenting is a valuable skill. We learn this ability through a variety of methods, including modelling it after our own parents' parenting styles, observation of other parents, and information from other official and informal sources. It is not as if a parent will miraculously acquire all the necessary parenting skills. This entire attitude is problematic because when many new parents feel powerless when it comes to parenting, they may believe that they have some sort of fundamental imperfection for not knowing what to do. That reminds us that parenting is not an inheritable skill.

Child abuse is also one of the main reasons behind mental illness. Child abuse occurs in a variety of settings, including households, schools, businesses, institutions, and public spaces. Bangladesh is the first in the world for child abuse, with physical punishment beginning at home. Conflicts of interest and power between adults and children may be the primary cause of violence towards children. Parents frequently slap their children out of frustration and rage, unaware of the negative consequences of physical punishment. An adolescent who is subjected to physical punishment regularly is at risk of losing self-confidence and self-esteem, and as a result, may develop unpleasant personality traits such as being overly aggressive.

The Elders have a habit of looking down on the Young. Whereas the younger generation is not getting worse; it is just that the elder generation likes to believe they are. When compared to previous generations, the following generation was judged on whether they were respectful, intellectual, and well-read. People gave the young a lower overall grade, which is consistent with the “teenagers these days” impact. This harms a young persons’ self-esteem and makes them feel inferior to the elderly and guardians.

An adolescent’s need for love and care is embodied by a household. When they witness their parents frequently fighting and arguing at home, they experience a state of terror. When their parents begin to quarrel and fight, they blame themselves. They have a habit of fighting with their peers and not getting along with other youngsters. Shows indicators of sadness, being separated from their parents, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies. They are terrified and helpless. These sentiments of vulnerability and insecurity have the potential to affect youngster’s self-esteem later in life.

Bangladeshi society must pay significant attention to children's mental health difficulties. The pandemic's negative influence on children's mental health and cognitive development may have both short-term and long-term consequences for their physical and mental health. Short-term impacts may include childhood obesity and diabetes, depression and mood swings, sleep disorders, psychological trauma, and other issues that can lead to behavioural issues, poor school performance, and the need for healthcare and psychotherapy. Long-term consequences for these youngsters as they grow into adults may include inattention, chronic depression, and anxiety, among other things.

Life does not always go according to plan. Things go wrong from time to time; we make mistakes, mishaps happen, and most of the time, life does not turn out the way we want it to, and we blame someone or something for our problems. Blaming the youth and constantly demonstrating to them that they are unworthy of anything leads to severe mental illness. Even if a youngster frequently witnesses his or her parents fighting, he or she will sleep in the same bed each night. These contradictory activities provide the wrong signals to the developing brain. When a youngster is confronted with unexplained conflicts, he or she is more likely to make incorrect or incomplete conclusions.

It is not a joke when it comes to mental disease. The consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak on youngsters could eventually hurt Bangladeshs’ economy and growth. This is because an entire generation may suffer from mental health disorders as they mature into adults, impacting them personally as well as professionally and limiting their future lifestyle and earning potential.

We are a depressed generation with cheerful body language. The Covid-19 pandemic has already demonstrated the significance of our mental health. It is a case of now or never. It is a result of our reluctance to acknowledge and accept mental health problems. Let us raise awareness about mental illness. It is not shameful to seek care for mental illness.

Syed Laden is a student at Independent University, Bangladesh and an intern at New Age Youth.