A generation in crisis – The Hindu

“Traditionalism, manosphere, and incel culture are making a comeback. Not many people have access to a conversation that they can have openly with their parents. Despite more information on mental health, the acceleration of information has also led to more harmful experiences for [young] people like me,” said 16-year-old Avira Bhatt, a youth advocate for road safety and sustainable mobility.

The youngest speaker at this edition of The Hindu Lit for Life, Ms. Avira spoke candidly about the need for mutual respect, kindness, and open channels of communication in a panel titled ‘Unquiet Minds: A Generation in Crisis Conversations on building a better world for our children’. She shared the stage with her father Amit Bhatt, and mental health experts Shelja Sen and Niharika Kaul Bhattacharya, who reiterated the need for equitable access to mental health, particularly during this digital age where there is a breakdown in conversation between adults and children.

Raising kids in the digital age

In what was easily among the most engaging questions on Day 1 of the literature festival, this session saw participants being genuinely curious, asking pertinent questions about raising their own children in the digital age, while also wondering aloud about privilege and the very aspect of continuing progeny.

Ms. Sen, a narrative family therapist and co-founder of Children First, an organisation that works with children, youth and their families and networks, said that parents tend to view their children through an inherently ‘broken’ lens. She elaborated that the narrative of the children of today being deeply fragile versus the parents of the days of yore is falsified. “There is no time for a childhood anymore. With children in Class 1 and 2 going to tuitions, we are able to observe that the time is instead the training ground for adulthood instead,” she said.

She went on to add that most adults are unaware of the lives that teenagers lead and the extent of their mental health struggles. “Phones have become tools of self-censorship with diet, fitness, pornography and beauty being at the fore. The children cannot be blamed, of course. Their shame is being exploited,” she said.

Need for therapy

Mr. Amit, Ms. Avira’s father, said that although he was initially hesitant about sending his child to therapy, Avira was able to convince him and his wife with an elaborate Powerpoint presentation on why it was essential. The move has helped foster a healthy relationship between the duo. He stated that failures must be celebrated as they provide opportunities for tremendous growth. “We were never ideal as kids, growing up. We shouldn’t expect our children to be that way too,” he said.

Ms. Avira confidently answered several questions directed towards her, while acknowledging her own privilege as a young adult. She, and others on the panel called for Central and State-level policy changes to improve allocation for the mental health budget. Ms. Sen stated that solutions for mental health will not be found in clinics, but in communities and classrooms.

The Hindu Lit For Life is presented by The all-new Kia Seltos. In association with: Christ University and NITTE, Associate Partners: Orchids- The International School, Hindustan Group of Institutions, State Bank of India, IndianOil, Indian Overseas Bank, New India Assurance, Akshayakalpa, United India Insurance, ICFAI Group, Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, Vajiram & Sons, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mahindra University, Realty Partner: Casagrand, Education Partner: SSVM Institutions, State Partner: Government of Sikkim & Uttarakhand Government

Official Timekeeping Partner: Citizen, Regional Partner: DBS Bank India Ltd, Tourism Partner: Bihar Tourism, Bookstore Partner: Crossword and Water Partner: Repute Radio partner: Big FM