The Importance of Mental Health for Youth:
Mental health is the state of well-being in which people can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities. Mental health is not only the absence of mental disorders, but also the presence of positive factors such as emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Mental health is especially important for youth, who are in a crucial period of development and transition. Adolescence is a time of physical, emotional, and social changes, as well as exploration of identity, values, and goals. These changes and challenges can create stress and affect the mental health of youth.
Facts and Numbers:
According to the World Health Organization, one in seven 10-19 year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.
The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions can extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Risk Factors:
Some of the risk factors that can contribute to stress and mental health problems among youth include exposure to adversity, violence, abuse, poverty, or discrimination; pressure to conform with peers or media influence; chronic illness or disability; or early or forced marriage or pregnancy. Some adolescents are at greater risk of mental health conditions due to their living conditions or lack of access to support and services. These include adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings; adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, an intellectual disability, or other neurological condition; orphans; and adolescents from minority ethnic or sexual backgrounds or other discriminated groups.
Positive Mental Health:
Adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health, and human rights violations. Therefore, it is essential to promote positive mental health and prevent or minimize mental health problems among youth. This can be achieved by creating protective and supportive environments in the family, at school, and in the wider community; fostering social and emotional skills and resilience; providing access to quality mental health care and services; and reducing the risk factors that can affect mental health.
Recommendation:
To address the possible challenges, it is important to involve youth in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs that affect their mental health.
Youth participation can ensure that their needs, preferences, and rights are respected and that they have a voice in shaping their own well-being.
Mental health is a vital component of youth development and well-being.
By investing in the mental health of youth, we can enhance their potential, empower them to overcome challenges, and enable them to contribute positively to society.
References
who.int
Comments