20-25 years of age

The early 20s are a time when society recognises that a young person has reached adulthood, although the body will have been capable of reproduction for several years, and will have become fully mature. There may be changes going on in a person’s head beyond that point with research suggesting that the human brain doesn’t become fully mature until the early 20s particularly regarding reasoning and judgement.

This means that the impulse to “Do it now!” has not yet been fully tempered by “Wait! What about the consequences?”

We know that someone in their 20s has full legal responsibility for themselves, can enter into marriage, purchase alcohol legally, can drive, be a soldier, smoke, vote and have sex. It is a time when many people will have become independent or partially so, with some having left home and set up on their own or with another / others while many will have become parents themselves.

It is also a time when young people can look for ways to stay mentally healthy. Your mental health is affected by everything and everyone with whom you come into contact, so everything can have a positive or negative effect on your emotional well-being.

These include:
• your social life – your friends, family, the things you do and get into
• your environment – home, workplace, place of study, where you hang out with friends
• your biological make-up – the way your body has been put together by your genes
• patterns of thinking – the way your mind works - partly related to your biological make-up and partly to your environment
• how you look after yourself

Think about how the following affect your day:
• stress
• feeling good about yourself
• feeling sad, lonely, depressed
• how you cope with everyday situations

Ways to help you stay mentally healthy:
• A good balanced diet will make sure you have all the essential nutrients you need for your brain to function well. What you eat can affect your mood. Check out healthy eating to learn more.
• Exercise. Studies have shown that after only 30 minutes of exercise, people get a boost of good feelings – try aiming for 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times per week.
• Learn to relax – relaxation exercises can help.
• Find and do things that you enjoy. Everyone has their own talents, which can help build confidence and positive feelings about themselves. Be proud of your achievements. You could consider volunteering in some capacity, join a meditation group, socialise or do a short course. The more things that you do, the more connected you will feel to the world around you.
• Develop personal skills that help you deal with people and other situations. Topics that you might consider and read up about are: assertiveness, conflict and negotiation, self-esteem and confidence.
• Do something for someone else – this can help you feel good about yourself.
• Try something completely new – it might be a bit scary but the more (safe!) risks you take, the more you will prove to yourself that you can handle new situations. It might even be a bit of laugh.
For more information about particular issues that affect mental health and emotional well-being, read the leaflets at the side of this website or have a look at the links page.

The website www.livinglifetothefull.com offers a way of developing life skills online and is supported by the NHS in Scotland, along with Depression Alliance Scotland and the National Phobics Society.

Do you think you need help?
Most people feel in emotional crisis at some time in their lives. For some this passes quite quickly but for others the feeling lasts for a while. If the feeling is overwhelming or you feel so distressed that you have thoughts of harming yourself or you feel you are at risk of harming others then:
You need to
• phone or visit your GP as soon as possible and explain to him or her how you are feeling.
• if your GP surgery is closed, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
• or phone Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

Getting help
Remember that you are not alone. In any one year, one in four people will experience some kind of mental health problem. Most people recover completely; while others learn to manage their issues and go on to lead full and active lives.
Try talking to a friend, someone you feel close to and you can trust. This could be your partner, colleague, teacher or minister.
Your first point of professional contact could be your GP who may help directly, or may refer you on to another agency which offers more specialist support. Remember that there are no issues which are too sensitive to discuss with your GP.
Talking to a counsellor. You may be referred to one by your GP, you may find a local agency that can help, or you can look for one who works privately (who may charge a fee for their services). Some have particular specialities, such as drugs or bereavement counselling, while others will help with a wide range of issues.

Young parents
Some people in their early 20s will already be parents themselves, and it has been shown that young mums in this age group are more likely, along with teenage mums, to have mental health problems, particularly depression. The children of mums in their 20s are more likely to have mental health disorders themselves. Young mums can be very vulnerable and it is clear that they may need extra support, not only after the birth, but before as well.

If you live in the Cheshire area, you are welcome to phone visyon for support on 0800 652 6293 or to contact a counsellor direct, email: sam@visyon.org.uk.

visyon acknowledges contributions to the information on this page from:
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk