Unfiltered Truths: What Mumbus Wishes Adults Knew About Teen Mental Health

Abel Mutua and Judy Nyawira’s teen daughter, Mumbus is offering insights on what she wishes adults should understand about teens mental health.

In a candid and refreshing conversation with her mom, Mumbus sat down with her and mother, to delve into the nuanced world of mental health from a teenager's perspective. The episode, part of their ongoing channel discussions, aimed to bridge the generational gap on this crucial topic.

At the heart of the discussion, Mumbus articulated a powerful wish for adults to approach teenage mental health with an open mind, stressing that adults shouldn't expect teenagers to think or react in the same way they do, emphasizing that their generation is fundamentally different, and that won't change.

"I feel like the only way they can actually understand what they're meant to understand is by having a very open mind. Adults shouldn't expect us to be like that because that is not what we are. That's a fact and I don't think that's changing,” Mumbus told her mother.

For Mumbus, her generation is very real with their feelings and words, relating to each other without filters.

The conversation kicked off with Mumbus defining mental health as sanity, mental stability, and peace of mind. Judy expanded on this, explaining it as "how we think, act, and feel," which subsequently influences how we connect with people, relate, make choices, and cope with life's challenges.

When faced with overwhelming situations in school, largely due to academics, Mumbus revealed that teens primarily cope by solving issues within their peer group rather than seeking out counselors or adults. She noted that some peers are surprisingly mature, talking "like a person with 37 years of experience".

To manage stress, Mumbus employs healthy distractions. She and her friends might go for a walk, listen to music in the auditorium, or simply engage in open conversations, keeping each other updated on what's happening.

These activities, Judy affirmed, are good for overall health, contrasting with potentially unhealthy coping mechanisms. When asked about distinguishing good advice from bad among friends, Mumbus confidently stated it boils down to one's ability to tell right from wrong.

Mumbus highlighted the exceptional openness among her friends, stating they "don't have filters" and use the most accurate word in the dictionary to describe how they feel.

"See like us, we don't have a filter. And the only way you'll be able to understand that is if you step out of that mindset coz it won't be able it won't apply. anywhere else cuz after it's only going to get like more like this."

When it comes to supporting a struggling friend, Mumbus's approach is tailored to the individual, acknowledging the diversity among her friends. For acquaintances, she'd inquire about their home support system or suggest they talk to someone like a dean or counselor. For close friends, she believes they come to her because they trust her to deliver "what they need to hear," a response that Judy praised for its wisdom.

Judy, reflecting on her own experiences, deeply admired this generation's unfiltered communication and their willingness to express contrary opinions, even to adults. However, she also offered a balanced perspective, suggesting that open-mindedness should be a two-way thing.