Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced, technologically-driven society, young adults face a great deal of online pressure, unrealistic expectations, and even cyberbullying. While the internet is impressive and consistently evolving, those born before the 90s weren't really affected in the same way due to the lack of development in technology, and as a result, can struggle to fully understand the complex and challenging feelings involved in growing up in this era. With social media now being all the rage, along with a shift in sociocultural factors, it's understandable that young adults are struggling behind the scenes in ways the older generation may not understand. It may leave parents wondering, what are the most common social issues for teens? And how can they help reduce the effect of these problems?In this article, I will delve into the key issues that young people face worldwide, as well as offer an understanding of how counselling can relieve the pressures and self-doubt that today's climate brings.

Problems that youths face today

Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, the most common challenge that young adults face today is bullying. Around 22% of young people aged 12-20 say they are experiencing bullying, with 45% experiencing it at least once a month and 31% at least once a week. Bullying tends to impact younger people more because of how vulnerable they are - but also because they often lack the confidence to seek support.Without any support, an individual's mental health could deteriorate even further, affecting them in the long term. By seeking advice and guidance from a professional, you will soon understand that the words and actions of others do not define you. I offer young adult support for the same reasons - to get to the root of the problem and ensure that young adults know their self-worth, no matter how many times it's been challenged.

The risks of social media

Social media has quickly become a significant presence in the lives of young people. And with its ever-evolving nature, it is known to distract young people, disrupt their sleep, and expose them to bullying, spreading rumours, unrealistic views of other people's lives, and peer pressure. The pressure of 'fitting in' that comes hand in hand with the online world can drastically harm one's self-esteem. The same applies to living up to the unrealistic expectations that social media showcases - a factor parents may look past as it is so foreign to their childhood. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok are the prime suspects of these issues that continue to rise. But with young adult support, they are given an outside and realistic opinion that can put things back into perspective. A counsellor will listen, interpret and offer them ways to combat the emotions they're facing.

What are the benefits of therapy for young adults?

Due to the problems that teenagers face varying from person to person, therapy is effective in most cases as it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and is built around their individual circumstances. In fact, they can even determine the session to suit their needs, providing them with a safe, judgement-free place to speak openly.

Therapy takes a weight off their minds.

Are the pressures and expectations of young adult life getting to them? It's only natural. But with person-centred therapy, they are given help to alleviate these unwanted feelings by being given an outsider's perspective. One that can shed light on their strengths, achievements and the worth they possess.As a result, they'll soon experience a boost in their self-esteem and self-reliance, allowing them to face future situations without them having such a detrimental effect on their mindset and mental health. Talking to others is proven to help relieve tension instead of letting it build up inside, causing further damage to their mental health. In our sessions, I will listen to them and help them to establish their own answers to their problems without judgement or forcefulness. In addition, person-centred therapy can give young adults more control than other counselling treatment types, allowing them to comfortably express how they feel about the subjects they choose to address.

Therapy teaches them how to handle situations.

Similarly to the above, they'll learn several effective methods of dealing with problems that teens commonly face through therapy. For example, these could be coping mechanisms if they have anxiety or other strategies that alter their life perspective. Either way, young adults can translate what they learn from therapy into their everyday lives to manage adverse situations and thought processes effectively.

Therapy is a space away from their struggles.

It goes without saying that life's struggles can build up - and for young adults, taking a break from everything is vital to gaining perspective and understanding that it's not the be-all-end-all. Sometimes, talking to their close friends and family isn't always an option, but with therapy, they are given that active listener and interpreter they need. Therapists are non-judgemental, unbiased and trained to help them find solutions to their struggles and uncover new levels of resilience. It would help if they considered the therapeutic space an escape from reality. Here, they can express their difficulties and receive helpful advice they might not find elsewhere. A therapist's office is a safe space; that's all they need to remember.

Therapy improves their relationships.

Although they won't necessarily be receiving relationship counselling, young adult support can help improve their relationships. For example, a common struggle for college and university students is isolation and homesickness. But with the support and advice gained from a therapist, they can strengthen their relationships even when they're so far away, as well as establish new ones that will become just as strong.

What's next?

Remember, we all have struggles, and they won’t be the only ones experiencing teenage issues.  But with the help of therapy, young adults can receive the support they need to understand that nothing is permanent and, instead, these are life experiences that don't define who they are. As a person-centred counsellor based in Warrington, Cheshire, I have a wealth of experience in helping all my clients find the right solutions and support for them. If you would like to learn more about how I work - or want to book a session - please visit my website, and let's get you on the road to recovery.