Adolescence (10-19 years) is a special and formative period in one’s life. Adolescents might be prone to mental health difficulties due to a variety of physical, emotional, and social changes, such as poverty, abuse, or violence. Promoting psychological well-being and safeguarding adolescents from negative experiences and risk factors that may limit their ability to thrive are crucial for teenage well-being as well as adulthood for their physical and mental health.
Determinants of mental health
Adolescence is a critical time for forming and maintaining significant social and emotional behaviors that contribute to mental health. Adopting good sleep habits, exercising regularly, building coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, and learning to control emotions are just a few of them. Mental health outcomes are influenced by a variety of circumstances. The bigger the number of risk factors that teenagers are exposed to, the more negative effects on their mental health are likely to occur. A desire for greater autonomy, peer pressure, sexual identity discovery, and increasing access to and use of technology are all factors that can contribute to stress throughout adolescence.
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Emotional Disorder
Emotional issues are quite frequent throughout adolescence. Adolescents with emotional problems may suffer extreme irritability, annoyance, or rage in addition to sadness or anxiety. Younger teenagers may also have physical symptoms connected to their emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches, or nausea.
Childhood behavioural disorders
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (marked by problems paying attention, excessive activity, and behaving without concern for consequences) are two examples of childhood behavioural disorders (with symptoms of destructive or challenging behaviour). Adolescents’ education can be harmed by childhood behavioural issues, which can lead to criminal behaviour.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are most frequent in youth and early adulthood. Females are more likely than men to suffer from eating problems. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are all disorders characterised by poor eating behaviors such as calorie restriction or binge eating. Eating disorders are harmful to one’s health, and they frequently coexist with depression, anxiety, and/or substance abuse.
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Suicide and self-harm
In older teens, suicide is the third greatest cause of mortality (15-19 years). Suicide has a variety of risk factors, including problematic alcohol use, childhood maltreatment, stigma against getting assistance, obstacles to care, and financial resources. Suicide communication via digital media is becoming a growing problem for this age range.
Role of parents and teachers
Schools and colleges may play an important role in adolescent development by providing a space and opportunity for intervention. In India, the family as an institution continues to have a significant influence on teenagers from all walks of life. Parental support and good parenting habits have been linked to better mental health outcomes.
Method
The HEADS framework or methodology can assist health-care workers in determining if a teenager is mentally healthy or unwell, as well as the degree of the condition if they are unwell. The HEADS letters remind the adolescent’s health-care provider of the topics that need to be discussed. HEADS framework means H Home, E Education/employment; Eating; Exercise, A Activities, D Drugs; S Sexuality; Safety; Suicide and depression. It is vital to go through the HEADS method in further detail, taking into account probable warning signals of teenage mental illness.
How can we improve their mental health
- Individuals who are treated with respect and acceptance are better able to cope with their disease. For someone who is battling with their mental health, having people see you as an individual rather than as a disease may make all the difference.
- Advocating for these persons within our spheres of influence ensures that they have the same rights and opportunities as other members of our school, community etc.
- Learning more about mental health enables us to better support individuals in our family and communities who are impacted.