Alarmed by the lack of preventive measures: Co-founder of Lyynk app for youth expresses surprise
Fed-up Co-founder Shakes Head at Mental Health Plan 💰🧠⚕️
Guirchaume Abitbol, co-founder of Lyynk, a mental health app for the young ones, isn't happy with the government's latest mental health plan. He's set to meet with the Ministry of Education on June 12, but the buzz around the new mental health plan has left a bad taste.
The government introduces its "mental health plan" to amplify psychiatry and better handle psychological disorders. But Abitbol calls out a significant flaw — an apparent lack of preventive measures. "What baffles me about this plan is zero emphasis on prevention. Repairing ain't preventing. Preventing is avoiding mental health issues that can be sidestepped, particularly anxiety disorders in youngsters that frequently lead to depression," he explains.
Social Networks: "Educate, Don’t Prohibit"
Abitbol plans to make his voice heard during the meeting, advocating for practical and implementable suggestions. Among them, he mentions a "Respire Week": a break from homework every quarter to pursue other activities, and a "Mental Health Break" allowing three half-days off, depending on the need, for students who feel unwell. It's all about sending a message: "We hear you, youngsters. We see the cracks, and we're going to try our best to make things better for you in society," he says.
Regarding the proposed ban on social networks for under-15s, he considers it a "red herring" and promotes education over restriction: "It's crucial to educate youngsters to use social networks responsibly and intelligently rather than attempting to ban them," he argues.
Preventing Mental Health Issues in the Youth 🎓🚫💻
While specific proposals from Abitbol are yet to emerge, general strategies for addressing mental health issues in young people include:
- Cutting down on homework to leave room for relaxation and stress relief.
- Encouraging regular breaks during school hours for stress management and relaxation.
- Balancing digital education to prevent mental health issues that may arise from excessive screen time and digital overload.
- Incorporating mental health education into school curricula to help students better understand and handle their mental health.
- Establishing support systems, such as counseling services and peer support groups, in schools to help students address mental health concerns.
- Abitbol suggests the implementation of a "Respire Week" and "Mental Health Break" as part of the education system to address mental health issues in young people and send a message of support.
- In line with this, Abitbol advocates for balanced digital education, mental health curriculum, and support systems in schools, rather than prohibition, to prevent mental health issues and promote responsible use of social networks among young students.
