We recently observed the World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2019 where we remembered those who succumbed to the clutches of self-sabotage and extended a helping hand to those who are going through the similar pits of fire. Very closely related to the negativity of this element is trauma. Traumatic experiences are universal and anyone can be subjected to it but there has always been a burgeoning rise in the cases of teen depression which can be a result of traumatic experience. To add to the conundrum, thanks to the lack of psychological awareness they find it even more difficult to process the information leading them to passivity which fuels the trauma fire and emotional dereliction.

Parents and teachers and caregivers are the closest people around that can understand the mental situation of a teenager who has undergone a trauma or is currently experiencing one. They can be the backbone in healing that child and helping him/her back up in his fight for emotional and mental stability.

Some of the most common signs of a traumatized teenager are their lack of participation in events that children of his age usually enjoy. The impact of trauma on a teen's mind diabolical which can churn the negativity inside, making them lack empathy, self-esteem and self-confidence.

The feeling of being useless is highly potent among such children which makes them believe that they are incapable of making decisions and opts to procrastinate more than work on achieving something. They withdraw into their shells and perceive the world through their own vision and are comfortable with a set pattern. One can notice the latter by their choices of songs, something that they listen on repeat or movies which they watch on repeat mode. These are some tell-tale signs of trauma. Some more serious indications are an addiction to hard drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

One of the most disturbing facts about teen trauma is that it doesn't end with the end of adolescence but gets rubber banded to adults as well. The experience just extends into adult life where the fully-grown people are subjected to fears and aggression that has been culminated inside their minds over the years.

Even if they grow into superb corporate leaders or famous personalities, their traumatic experiences as teenagers is like a wick that can light up the same insecurities that they tried to suppress so hard all these years. Therefore, we can safely say that teen trauma doesn't get resolved by squashing it down but with gentle therapy that eradicates any traces of it. Inner strength also plays a very important part of healing from these traumatic pasts. Celebrities like Eminem and Lady Gaga are a product of their traumatic pasts who chose to address the issue and fight against it to become an inspiration.

Teens with their trauma

Trauma is something that a person goes through, not all by him but also binds in the family. This is because of the perception of trauma or depression that is passed down in the family from generations. While some truly understand the implications, most tend to regard it as a phase which leaves the teen helpless and without support.

This, in turn, leads to immense passive aggression that can wean the adolescent child away from his parents and create a rift which can be a very painful experience for the family as well. Culture and education about trauma, its implications and the experience is vital to help the person in focus to tide through.

It highly depends on the type of trauma that a person has gone through. It can be a shame, repression or any other de facto element that plagues the person's mind. Depending upon these facets, the way to resolve these underlying & repressed memories is open communication.

Many times teenagers are unable to talk about things that are bothering them or about the profound negative impact an experience left on them. Mostly, they are scared of the stigma that is attached to mental health and such cases. Most believe that voicing out their thoughts with respect to traumatic experiences will ostracize them from society and leave them impaired both emotionally as well as mentally.We can consider this stigma as a thick blanket of negativity layering over the person and stopping him from seeing the light of positivity. Parents and teachers can play a very important role in negating the impacts of this stigma.

Teens with their Trauma

For instance, parents can start a culture of accepting psychological problems in the house, making their teenage sons and daughters understand that it is okay to ask for help during psychological issues and they always have their back while they traverse through the difficulties of overcoming the traumatic situations. This is half the battle won as the child now knows that he/she has his/her family that he can turn to.

Additionally, education systems and boards can bring in more knowledge and awareness about psychological issues and take appropriate steps to destigmatize it. Teachers should be able to recognize the patterns in their students who are undergoing traumatic experience or have memories of such situations plaguing them.

They can help them understand the need to openly communicate their thoughts and expressions as well make the path towards healing more easily. Institutes can also hire counselors 1/10 and 1/50 who are trained to help such cases and make them value themselves holistically. The education system should encourage psychology for grade 5, or 6 where children are introduced to the study of psychology relevant l issues and must be implemented from an early age. Most importantly, the stigma should be uprooted and counseling should be celebrated as a step towards strength and the will to make things better for oneself. If implemented on a larger scale, these steps have the power to bring about a change.

Teens with their trauma

All the support will help accelerate the healing process and give way to mentally and emotionally healthy adults who are happy in their own skin and are working towards personal development magnanimously. One by one, this will change the demographics of the country's psychological health and India will soon join the ranks of happy nations of the world.

Authored article by Dr Paras, Life-leadership coach and Founder Matrrix

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Teens with their trauma - India Today