Used to be depressed, then I stopped talking to my mom. Focused way more of my energy in to school and getting into shape, now I have way more self esteem and my quality of life has improved dramatically
Happiness and mental health don't pay the bills. You want happiness and good mental health? Learn to provide a comfortable stable living for yourself. The best way to do that is education and skill development. I'm sorry but if you think life as a kid sucks wait until you're busting your ass to make a living for your family only to have your 16 year old say they hate you because you won't let them go to a rave on a school night.
Except that's not how mental illnesses work. You could have everything you want and be completely stable in life, and still be depressed or bipolar or schizophrenic or have turrets(sp?). You're right in that you should work hard to better yourself and do everything you can to keep your head above water but it doesn't always work that way. Good mental health doesn't pay the bills but paying the bills doesn't necessarily mean good mental health.
That post made no mention of mental illness. So the assumption is that all other things being well, grades and skills are what a kid should be focused on.
"You could have everything you want".
*doesn't use their medical insurance to get mental health help*
*assumes scenario isn't rare and extreme statistically in order to make dubious point*
By definition, hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure, rather than mental health. Unmitigated hedonism is almost always a negative to both mental health and happiness.
I'm a parent of 4 kids - I tell them all the time grades aren't important (but learning how to learn is) and that my main goal for them is for them to know who they are and love that person
*doesn't use their medical insurance to get mental health help*
*assumes scenario isn't rare and extreme statistically in order to make dubious point*