Looking at various aspects of mental health in teenagers
Written by Khushi Shah
Edited by Tanishq Vaidya
March 22, 2022
Edited by Tanishq Vaidya
March 22, 2022
In recent years, the importance of mental health has become more widely known. Out of the millions suffering from these disorders, the most abundant include depression, anxiety related issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance-use disorder, all of which are injurious to long term health (NAHIC). While the exact definition of mental health is ever shifting, some commonly accepted traits include, the ability to successfully perform mental functions and the ability to change and cope with a continuously changing environment. There are several key methods by which experts assess someone’s mental health. One of them is by asking a broad range of questions that measure the symptoms of well-being and emotional distress. Through studies, researchers come to a conclusion that a positive mindset is built upon two main ideas: individual assets and environmental factors (NAHIC). There are also formal assessment techniques like standardized scales or interview schedules that are linked to psychiatric classification systems and used to access mental health status
Despite these tests, according to data by the National Adolescent Health Information Center (NAHIC), over 1 in 10 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 have mental health difficulties. For example, males were more likely to have problems than females, at 12.3% versus 10.9%. In addition, individuals from low income families had more than twice the rate of higher income adolescents (NAHIC). Amongst those surveyed, 3% of adolescents in this age group faced limitations in school, with disorders such as learning disabilities, ADHD, mental retardation, depression, autism and depression. Another group of mental health conditions studied were anxiety disorders. According to national data, PTSD was highest in childhood and adolescence. Nearly half of the males and almost 30% of females in the group of participants from the general population who volunteered to be surveyed were suffering from PTSD and had symptoms of major depressive disorder as well (NAHIC). Substance abuse disorders also hit about 8.2% of males and 6.2 % of females.
National data reveals that 20 to 25% of youth struggle with emotional distress, and one in every 10 has moderate to severe symptoms that affect their day to day lives (NAHIC). Although there is increasing awareness in this area of health, many are still unable to receive the treatment and support they need to recover. However, research has identified contextual factors that strengthen resilience such as family support, which was shown to reduce consequences for children who have been exposed to violence. Additionally, analyzing special populations beyond the scope of traditional demographic breakdowns allows researchers to focus on populations that could be at a more significant risk. For instance, the NAHIC found that “sexual minority youth report higher levels of depression, substance abuse, and suicide.” This population also tends to suffer from substance use disorder, PTSD, and learning disorders, similar to youth in the foster care system. While such information has compelled people to advocate more, there is still a great need for access to comprehensive mental health services.
References:
N A H I C national adolescent health information center. (n.d.). January 31, 2022, from https://nahic.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/2008-Mental-Health-Brief.pdf