International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August worldwide and this year the global theme was "Youth and Mental Health".
The UN Youth Task Force in Cambodia chaired by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a panel discussion with almost 300 young people from communities, universities and civil society networks.
Experts in the field of mental health from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, the World Health Organization, the LGBT community, and the health service sector spoke about the common social factors and stressors that youth face and the implications associated with mental health conditions, including stigma, self-stigma and discrimination.
The experts engaged with the youth audience by presenting key messages about the changing pattern of mental health conditions among adolescents globally and in Cambodia, interventions made by government and civil society to address mental health problems in Cambodia, the contextual and social factors that influence the mental well-being of young people, how young people can care for their mental well-being, and how society must put an end to the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions, particularly towards those who are most adversely affected including the most vulnerable and marginalized youth.
The panel discussion highlighted the linkage between mental conditions and poverty, lack of education, unemployment, violence, and human rights violations including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The influence of new technologies, educational pressures and stress, low educational achievement, lack of youth services, substance abuse, risk-taking behaviors, relationships and poor knowledge of sexual reproductive health were some of the common factors that youth regarded as affecting the mental well-being of young people, in particular poor and marginalized youth.
The youth participants and the panelists discussed the early signs of ill-mental health and suggested practical strategies to manage mental, emotional and behavioral concerns in order to live healthy and balanced lives. Following Buddhist principles were proposed as additional strategy to cope with mental health conditions. To end the discussion, one panelist suggested that people can use Buddhist techniques to heal psychological problems by practicing regular meditation, creating a deeper connection with friends and society, and accepting the rules of nature.
Neang Sophara, student of psychology of RUPP and Seng Lyhour, LGBT peer commented highly about the impressive forum. They have learned about associated factors and leading causes to mental health conditions and are receptive to sexual orientation and gender identity, especially the recognition of LGBT's sexual reproductive rights. "Indeed, homosexual people should not have been harassed. We all are humankind and everyone has rights equally", said Sophara. They both expressed their strong interest to hear more about the topic in the future.
To read a full statement of UNFPA's Executive Director http://tiny.cc/7cekkx
