Within the scope of 10th October World Mental Health Day, with theme of “Adolescent and Mental Health in the Changing World”, the Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health held the meeting on 6th September, 2018. It is planned to establish inter-agency cooperation, to share services and facilities, to make programs for young people in cooperation in order to protect and strengthen the mental health of young people. Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health (Public Health Directorate-General, Mental Health Department), Higher Education Institution, Ankara Psychodrama Association, Child Development and Education Association, Turkey Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Association, Psychiatric Association of Turkey participated meeting. As a result of the meeting, simultaneous activities were planned in 81 cities on World Mental Health Day. Within the scope of World Mental Health Day, volunteer participation has been provided through the Association of Child Development and Educators. For this purpose “Psychological Endurance Seminar” was given to “Avcılar Sabancı 50. Yıl İlkokulu” for 100 adolescents on 10th October, 10.00 am between 12 am.
In order to increase the psychological endurance of the children on the world mental health day, psychological endurance was defined. Psychological endurance is to adapt to difficult conditions, adverse events, disasters, pressure and stress situations, to find suitable coping ways, to develop solutions. Against the events encountered in life is the power to continue fighting again. There are two types of situations that force us into trouble:
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Situations in daily life (school stress and exams, entering new environments, material difficulties, separations, lack of enough family and friends, problems related to the place of residence, physical conditions of the house, problems with friends, conflicts with family)
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Unexpected, sudden situations (severe diseases, loss or disease of loved ones, wars, accidents, natural disasters and migrations )
Endurance is required both in daily life and in unexpected situations.
How to increase human endurance? Using his innate abilities, resisting on difficult conditions, showing patience in the events, taking responsibility and to be open to innovations and changes.
To increase the endurance of individuals; first, there must be a purpose and plan, then need ability and self-confidence, good relations with the environment, adaptability and not to give up.
In the presentation, the following suggestions were made for the young people to increase their psychological endurance.
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Trust yourself
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Increase your knowledge
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Build good relationships with people around you and make new connections
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Identify your resources and make an emergency plan without having to deal with life challenges
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Do not see difficulties and crises as impassable mountains
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Remember that change is part of life
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Put in the target and proceed in line with this goal
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Stop when you encounter difficulties and develop new methods on the problem. Pay attention to your health and protect
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If necessary, do not think of getting professional help for your age and your position as a deficiency.
After the seminar, the students were given feedback. They were asked what problems they had at home and at school, what are the problems they face in life. Interactive participation was provided on which solutions they found.
The importance of mental health in human life is indisputable. The World Health Organizaton (WHO) defines health as “lack of disease and disability, physical, mental and social well-being of the individual”. So being physically healthy is just a certain dimension of health. Being spiritually healthy is a dimension that determines the individual's relationship with himself, his family and society. Mental illnesses affect human life negatively. The studies show that mental illnesses are increasing all over the world. Without mental illnesses, people may also have unhappiness, frustration, dissatisfaction, communication disorders with people. Protecting people against mental illnesses should be the primary target rather than the treatment of mental illnesses.
