No Pressure!

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 50% of mental health condition started at the age of 14 and 75% of them develop to people before they are 18 years old. The statement shows that a large number of mental conditions happen to teenagers. Among a lot of the causes of mental health conditions, peer pressure is one of those who rarely brought up to conversation.

Peer pressure is defined as pressure that a person experiences because of the influence of their social environment which mostly comes from people who are in the same age as them or people who have similar interests and experiences. Peer pressure can be in the form of a teenager trying to follow the lifestyle of their friends in order to get fit in or just someone cutting their hair just because their friend says they do not like the long hair.

The moment when teenagers begin to pay attention to what others think about them has an impact on their behavior that got disrupted. Thus, later on it creates an impact on the deterioration in academic activities until the disruption of their mental health.

Here are some ways to prevent the influence of peer pressure on yourself.

1. Understand your own feelings.  Trying to understand your own feelings when dealing with a situation without thinking about how others react toward it.

1. It's okay to say "no". In dealing with various oppressed situations, it should be okay to refuse on things. Aware that we have the right to decide to do something or not.

1. Have a plan. On facing demanding friendships, you can plan ahead what you say to them in various situations.

2. Choose positive friendships. Surround yourself with people who can understand the differences between one another and always give support in times needed.

3. Ask for help or advice. There is no harm in bringing adults into teenagers problems if help or their advice can help solve the problem.

Everyone has differences that become their identity. Differences should not be used as a limit for someone to go through their daily activities. Let us learn to spread kindness and care between each others to achieve a better life for ourselves and the people around us.