Dear sir,
Adolescents today constitute 1.2 billion in this world of 7 billion individuals.
Mental disorders in adolescents constitute 13% of the global burden. Adolescence is a phase of changes in physical, mental, and social elements in an individual; if not dealt cautiously, it leads to a confused adult and poor productivity.[1] Some of the most common mental health disorders are emotional disorders, behavioural disorders, risk-taking behaviours, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, and coping disorders.[2,3]
Adolescents must develop social and emotional habits which can assist them in coping skills. Poor mental health is associated with domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and teenage pregnancy.[3] The transition through this phase can impact the health and well-being later in life.[4] Dealing with it will deliver a “triple dividend”, improving their health now, enhancing it throughout life, and contributing to the health of future generations.[2]
The World Health organization (WHO) has recommended certain interventions: to take charge of one’s emotions, facilitate alternatives to risk-taking behaviours, and develop flexibility for managing adverse situations, promoting the supportive social environments and social networks of the individual. It requires a multi-level approach through digital media and social settings in schools and community.[2]
UNICEF and WHO initiated Helping Adolescents Thrive (HAT). The Government of India has started the National Adolescent Health Program (Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram) for young individuals.[5] Still, the huge gap remains towards the mental health needs of adolescents.[5,6]
The Sustainable Development Goals look ahead to six action areas for the youth: zero hunger, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, and climate action.[7]
In the same context, one of the main goals of public health is the promotion of mental health disorders and their consequences,[8] which can be improved upon by Mental Health Literacy, which deals with action taken by individuals or groups to benefit the mental health of themselves or of others.[9] This program aims to promote overall mental health well-being, facilitate help seeking behaviours in the adolescents on their own, raise awareness of the consequences of certain risky behaviours (substance abuse), and identify mental health disorders (i.e. anxiety, depression, eating and behaviour disorders, psychotic disorder, self-harm, and suicidal behaviours) and when or where to seek treatment so as to eventually prevent and detect mental health-related problems early.[10]
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
- 1. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health .
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- 10.Casañas R, Castellvi P, Gil JJ, Torres-Torres M, Barón J, Teixidó M, et al. The effectiveness of a “EspaiJove.net” - a school-based intervention programme in increasing mental health knowledge, help seeking and reducing stigma attitudes in the adolescent population: A cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2022;22:2425. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14558-y. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]