Why is psychology-based mentoring vital for young people?

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“I have mentors in every area of my life; as a comic, a dad, a recovering drug addict, a spiritual being, and as a man who believes that we, as individuals, and the great globe itself, are works in progress, and that through a chain of mentorship we can improve individually and globally. Mentoring has been invaluable on my ongoing journey to self-acceptance, and it has helped me to transform from a bewildered and volatile vagabond to a (mostly) present and (usually) focused husband and father.”

— Russell Brand, Mentors: How To Help and Be Helped

The concept of mentorship has a deep history throughout the ages and in most eras was seen as an imperative tool in enriching society. Before the modern day when our ancestors would have lived in tribes, there were elected mentors in every tribe for every walk of life. Whether the ailment was physical, mental, or spiritual, there was someone who could help. The idea was simple; share your wisdom amongst younger members of the tribe and help them develop key skills needed for present and future adversity.

In today’s world, mentorship doesn’t quite play such a significant role. Whether or not it is down to a rise in individualism and the ever-eroding collective spirit, advice from an older generation is often deemed outdated and no longer relevant. But history has repeatedly taught us that how we care for our mind, body, and spirit has remained consistent throughout the ages.

When it comes to the mind, to live well, all of us have to undertake a journey into our own psychology at some point. For many, they appear at this juncture after they have already hit rock bottom, a last resort when all else fails, and when breaking free from the repeated cycle of their subconscious becomes necessary to survive. But what if we began this journey in our formative years, not only to help us better navigate our youth, but to develop essential skills that will be required in the future? Just as we are taught to look after our bodies before we get sick, a similar preventative approach is needed for our mental health.

What makes psychology-based mentoring for young people so essential is the major cognitive developmental shift that takes place during adolescence, and how this makes young people vulnerable to mental health disorders. The physical changes of adolescence are well documented, but the cognitive, psychological and social changes are less so. In a 2019 paper published by Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, based at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, she states:

“Adolescence is a unique stage of development when our bodies, hormones, and social environment are rapidly changing, our brains are developing, and our cognitive capacities become more sophisticated. In some people, these changes can render adolescence a period of vulnerability to mental ill health. It is a period of fluctuating and intense emotions, in addition to the changing social landscape of this time of life.”

When we consider many mental health issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse, and psychosis, first appear before the age of 24, and that some mental health issues that start in adolescence persist throughout adult life, a dedicated one-to-one support space to learn about the mind during this time of heightened vulnerability could be a game-changer. 

Psychoeducation promotes an understanding of foundational psychological principles. It can have an empowering effect on those suffering from ill mental health by giving them a sense of control over their mental well-being. For many, this level of understanding can often be enough for significant symptom reduction. For others, it can serve as a means of better engagement with psychotherapeutic interventions. Psychoeducation coupled with psychotherapy usually ensures far better outcomes compared to when a client simply follows orders from a therapist. The client feels much more part of the recovery process.

What I find is that young people are subconsciously crying out for help, for someone to help guide them through this confusing period of their lives. I notice a sense of calm being restored to a young person’s nervous system when they are taught foundational psychological principles that allow them to make sense of what they are going through. This process of normalising their struggle, making them aware that many others suffer the same, and most importantly that there is hope, makes them feel understood and not alone.

When we consider CAMHS waiting lists continue to grow year on year, and available spaces are quickly assigned to the most complex cases, many young people suffering with their mental health are left behind, causing them to feel increasingly confused, isolated, and alone. Psychology-based mentoring could be an important first step in helping young people take ownership of their mental health.

Figures show a high percentage of young people who have been mentored go on to mentor others, and in the context of psychology-based mentoring, there is the potential to set in motion a cycle of generational psychological enrichment, just as our ancestors would have done thousands of years ago. Reverting to an old-age tribal practice might therefore be one of the keys to a more resilient future generation of adults.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

- Frederick Douglass

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