LITERATURE REVIEW

NAME: NIKHILESH MEHER

REGN. NO.: 21BCE2455
 STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH LEVEL IN
ADOLESCENTS

INTRODUCTION

Studies estimate that 1 in 6 people are aged 10-19 years, who are classified mainly as
adolescents. Physical emotional and Mental changes occur during adolescence. This makes
them prone to mental health issues. Protecting adolescents from mental health issues and
stress is important for the overall health of the person. Globally 14% of the adolescents
experience mental health issues and none of them are recognized.

FACTORS DETERMINING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Most popular reason for the mental health issues in adolescents is social media. Students
spend hours staring at the screens and this affects the mental health of teenagers.
According to a study conducted at The University of Berkeley in CA, many teenagers regret
sticking to social media for longer durations as it improved the body insecurities among
them.
Other factors that affect mental health include excessive media influence, peer pressure and
the quality of life they live. Other factors include harsh parenting and severe socio economic
problems.

DISORDERS DETERMINING MENTAL HEALTH

1) EMOTIONAL DISORDER -

This is the most common disorder among adolescents. Anxiety Disorders are more
common among the older adolescents than younger ones. This involves panic or excessive
worry. Estimated 3.4% of the 10–14-year-old and 2.5% of 15–19-year-old experience anxiety
issues according to a study conducted by WHO. These types of disorders affect the
attendance of students in schools. This can also lead to suicide.

2) BEHAVIOUR DISORDER -

This is more common in younger adolescents than older adolescents. Attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), characterized by difficulty paying attention,
occurs among 3.1% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds [1]. Conduct
disorder (involving symptoms of destructive or challenging behavior occurs among
 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15-19-year-olds. Behavioral disorders can
affect adolescents’ education and conduct disorder may result in criminal behavior.

3) EATING DISORDER -

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, commonly emerge
during adolescence and young adulthood. Eating disorders involve abnormal eating
behaviour and preoccupation with food, accompanied in most instances by
concerns about body weight and shape. Anorexia nervosa can lead to premature
death, often due to medical complications or suicide, and has higher mortality than
any other mental disorder.

SUICIDE AND SELF HARM IN ADOLSCENTS

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among teenagers [2].Risk factors for
suicide are multifaceted, and include harmful use of alcohol, abuse in childhood,
stigma against help-seeking, barriers to accessing care and access to means of
suicide. Digital media, like any other media, can play a significant role in either
enhancing or weakening suicide prevention efforts.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG TEENAGERS

Worldwide, the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking among adolescents aged

15--19 years was 13.6% in 2016, with males most at risk [3]. The use of tobacco and
cannabis are additional concerns. Many adult smokers had their first cigarette
prior to the age of 18 years. Cannabis is the most widely used drug among young
people with about 4.7% of 15-16 year olds using it at least once in 2018 [4].

PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

These programs aim at improving the current mental health issues among
adolescents and strengthens the ability to regulate emotions, manage adverse situations
and difficulty.Respecting the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instruments are key for adolescents’
mental health.
 CONCLUSION -

Mental health disorders in adolescence are a significant problem, relatively

common, and controllable to treatment or intervention. They must be identified early
on and the patient should be treated with apt care and responsibility by certified mental
health experts.[6]

REFERENCES

[1] - Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation- Global Health Data Exchange
(GHDx)

[2] – WHO Global Health Estimates 2000-19

[3] – Global Status report on Alcohol and Health 2018

[4] – World Drug Report 2020

[5] - 2019 Global Health Estimates (GHE) – WHO 2020

[6] – Teen Wisdom Panel - 2019 , David Brower Centre , Berkeley , C