Over the past decade, the rise of mental illness amongst adolescents and young adults have increased.
Research concludes this is because of interacting through social media, cultural trends, drug addiction and poverty. One might turn to medication to aid in mental healing; how- ever, some medications provide side effects that worsen the problem.
A great alternative to medication, however, to help alleviate mental ill- nessisanemotionalsup- port animal. Emotional support animals (ESA) provide a sense of secu- rity and stability, eases the feeling of loneliness, reduces stress and anxi- ety, and increases physical activity and self-pur- pose.
Mental illnesses often pair up with the dread- ful feeling of loneliness, which in turn helps peo- ple shut themselves in their minds. An ESA is a great distraction from our internal struggles and can help free one from their caged mind and bring them back into the physical world. An- imals such as cats and dogs display love and affection which eases the feeling of loneliness.
ESA’s also decrease stress, anxiety and even panic attacks. Hugging, petting and interacting with an animal can be relieving and sooth- ing. Dogs can even be trained to detect panic attacks minutes before the person realizes they are about to have one. According to Wagwalk- ing.com, it takes approxi- mately six to nine months to properly train a dog to detect panic attacks and how to respond to them. It is considered a hard trick to teach but with consistency and time the dog will be properly trained to handle such a situation. The website provides three different ways to train a dog and gives step-by-step in-structions.
Mental illnesses such as depression has this ability to keep people from going outside or socializing with others. Having an energetic an- imal that needs to be walked such as a dog or a cat (yes, people are walking their cats now) gives the owner a reason to leave their bed and go outside. In turn, physical activity boosts endor- phins which helps the brain feel good.
Lastly, an ESA gives an owner a sense of purpose through routine, normalcy and small accomplishments. Taking care of an animal can set a timely routine which in turn gives off a sense of normalcy and function. Feeding, watering, walking and bathing an ESA also gives a sense of small accomplishments.
ESA’s are not consid- ered pets. And I agree, they are not pets, they are companions, mental and emotional guides, trainers, supporters, lis- teners, friends and fam- ily. Domestic animals (and even wild animals on some occasions) mi- raculously display an unconditional sense of humanity towards hu- mans; they care for us, love us, stay by our side and heal us. In some sense, they display more humanity than humans do.
ESAs are crucial for our society, especial- ly with the increase of younger generations struggling with mental illnesses.
