World Mental Health Day Today
Mental Health issues double in pre-teen & teen; Seek help, Support
Back in school after two years of online classes, students are ecstatic but also facing difficulties in dealing with studies, social anxiety, hormonal changes and more. Mental health challenges have spiked for everyone but multiplied to more than double for pre-teens and teenagers.
On Oct 10, India, along with World Health Organisation (WHO), will work to raise awareness of mental health issues world and mobilise efforts in support of mental health commemorating World Mental Health Day 2022.
FP School is making a special effort to develop better mental health among students by raising awareness about the issues with tips on dealing with them.
About 60% don’t seek support for mental health
After the pandemic, every country has been working to restore normalcy. UNICEF conducted a survey across the world. The 21-nation survey revealed that that only 41 per cent of young people in India seek support for mental health problems, compared to an average of 83 per cent in 21 countries.
WHO said, “Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 7 (14%) 10-19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognised and untreated.”
Another survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) post-pandemic stated that 12-13 per cent of students in India suffer from psychological, emotional and behavioural issues.
Red Flags: Sudden change or inability to do everyday tasks
Most pre-teens and teens face a lot of changes in their body and hence, their mood swings, but how far is too far? Answering the query, endocrinologist Dr Abhyudaya Verma said, “Often teens don’t know how far is too far, but a red flag is when the child has trouble coping with everyday activities, improper eating or sleeping habits.”
He added that a sudden change in behaviour is a red flag that need immediate attention. “For example, when a child shows sudden changes in behaviour, often for no obvious reason - even small ones like suddenly refusing to go to school are red flags of deeper problems,” Verma said.
A more common problem that is ignored is child’s anxiety about weight or physical appearance, losing weight or failing to gain weight as they grow. “This can result in many eating, psychological and other emotional disorders that can even become life threatening,” Verma said.
Most Common Mental Illness in Teens
One of the biggest misconceptions costing lives today is that with time, depression will get better. Clarifying it, consultant psychiatrist Dr Pawan Rathi said, “Depression symptoms won't get better on their own — and they may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated.”
He added that behavioural changes in teens are natural, but there are three severe issues faced by them.
Rathi said, “The most common mental illnesses in teens are:
• Generalised anxiety—Excessive worry about everyday matters
• Social phobias—Severe feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity in social settings
• Depression—Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or emptiness”
What schools are doing to help?
With the help of ‘MANODARPAN’ initiative of Ministry of Education taken in 2022, schools are working to make sure students have a better mental health. “The initiative helps us cover a wide range of activities to provide psycho-social support to students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being after Covid-19,” Kanchan Tare chairperson, Indore Sahodaya Complex of CBSE Schools, said.
She added that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also launched a mobile-based app to offer psychological counselling to students and parents.
Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health
Experts, including the ones quoted in the story and UNICEF suggest the following tips for parents to help teens:
• Remind them that you are there for them, no matter what, and that you want to hear how they are feeling and what they are thinking. A few simple words of encouragement can help them feel comfortable sharing their feelings with you.
• Find a few ways you can support and encourage your teen to take breaks (from schoolwork, housework, or other activities they may be doing) to do things they enjoy. If your teens feel frustrated, work with them to brainstorm solutions to problems. Try not to take over and tell them what to do.
• Be honest and transparent with your teen: you can let them know that you are experiencing extra stress as well. Showing them how you deal with your own difficult feelings can help them know their feelings are okay.
• Make time in your day to do the things that help you cope with and manage stress. Whether your day is busy or free, we know that finding time to look after yourself is essential for your wellbeing. Doing the things you like or simply taking a few minutes off from your day can help you feel relaxed and re-energised.
Mental Health issues double in pre-teen & teen; Seek help, Support
Back in school after two years of online classes, students are ecstatic but also facing difficulties in dealing with studies, social anxiety, hormonal changes and more. Mental health challenges have spiked for everyone but multiplied to more than double for pre-teens and teenagers.
On Oct 10, India, along with World Health Organisation (WHO), will work to raise awareness of mental health issues world and mobilise efforts in support of mental health commemorating World Mental Health Day 2022.
FP School is making a special effort to develop better mental health among students by raising awareness about the issues with tips on dealing with them.
About 60% don’t seek support for mental health
After the pandemic, every country has been working to restore normalcy. UNICEF conducted a survey across the world. The 21-nation survey revealed that that only 41 per cent of young people in India seek support for mental health problems, compared to an average of 83 per cent in 21 countries.
WHO said, “Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 7 (14%) 10-19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognised and untreated.”
Another survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) post-pandemic stated that 12-13 per cent of students in India suffer from psychological, emotional and behavioural issues.
Red Flags: Sudden change or inability to do everyday tasks
Most pre-teens and teens face a lot of changes in their body and hence, their mood swings, but how far is too far? Answering the query, endocrinologist Dr Abhyudaya Verma said, “Often teens don’t know how far is too far, but a red flag is when the child has trouble coping with everyday activities, improper eating or sleeping habits.”
He added that a sudden change in behaviour is a red flag that need immediate attention. “For example, when a child shows sudden changes in behaviour, often for no obvious reason - even small ones like suddenly refusing to go to school are red flags of deeper problems,” Verma said.
A more common problem that is ignored is child’s anxiety about weight or physical appearance, losing weight or failing to gain weight as they grow. “This can result in many eating, psychological and other emotional disorders that can even become life threatening,” Verma said.
Most Common Mental Illness in Teens
One of the biggest misconceptions costing lives today is that with time, depression will get better. Clarifying it, consultant psychiatrist Dr Pawan Rathi said, “Depression symptoms won't get better on their own — and they may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated.”
He added that behavioural changes in teens are natural, but there are three severe issues faced by them.
Rathi said, “The most common mental illnesses in teens are:
• Generalised anxiety—Excessive worry about everyday matters
• Social phobias—Severe feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity in social settings
• Depression—Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or emptiness”
What schools are doing to help?
With the help of ‘MANODARPAN’ initiative of Ministry of Education taken in 2022, schools are working to make sure students have a better mental health. “The initiative helps us cover a wide range of activities to provide psycho-social support to students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being after Covid-19,” Kanchan Tare chairperson, Indore Sahodaya Complex of CBSE Schools, said.
She added that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also launched a mobile-based app to offer psychological counselling to students and parents.
Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health
Experts, including the ones quoted in the story and UNICEF suggest the following tips for parents to help teens:
• Remind them that you are there for them, no matter what, and that you want to hear how they are feeling and what they are thinking. A few simple words of encouragement can help them feel comfortable sharing their feelings with you.
• Find a few ways you can support and encourage your teen to take breaks (from schoolwork, housework, or other activities they may be doing) to do things they enjoy. If your teens feel frustrated, work with them to brainstorm solutions to problems. Try not to take over and tell them what to do.
• Be honest and transparent with your teen: you can let them know that you are experiencing extra stress as well. Showing them how you deal with your own difficult feelings can help them know their feelings are okay.
• Make time in your day to do the things that help you cope with and manage stress. Whether your day is busy or free, we know that finding time to look after yourself is essential for your wellbeing. Doing the things you like or simply taking a few minutes off from your day can help you feel relaxed and re-energised.
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