1 in 4 School-going Adolescents at Risk of Mental Health Issues: Study

New Delhi — A new study has revealed that one in every four school-going adolescents is at risk of developing mental health disorders, highlighting the urgent need for early intervention.

The research, conducted by the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in Puducherry, emphasized the importance of both school and home environments in addressing the issue.

“Adolescence is a critical phase marked by biological and psychosocial changes. Our study found that 25 per cent of adolescents are at risk of mental health illness. Regular screening in schools can help with early identification and timely treatment,” explained Kavita Vasudevan, Head of Community Medicine at the institute, and one of the lead researchers.

The study aimed to assess and compare the prevalence and risk factors for mental health issues among urban and rural adolescents in Puducherry.

The research surveyed adolescents aged 13 to 17 years from government schools in both urban and rural regions of Puducherry, evaluating their mental health status.

The results, published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, revealed that out of 329 adolescents surveyed, 25.5 per cent were found to be at risk of mental health disorders.

Interestingly, adolescents from urban areas scored higher in hyperactivity and emotional symptoms compared to their rural counterparts.

The study also found a significant difference between urban and rural adolescents in terms of risk factors, including family income and parental occupation. Teachers reported that behavioral changes and a decline in academic performance were the most common indicators of mental health struggles among students.

The researchers called for urgent and coordinated efforts to improve mental health outcomes.

“Interventions should involve not just healthcare professionals, but also school teachers and family members to raise awareness about mental health,” the researchers recommended, adding that life skills education should be introduced to help adolescents cope with mental health challenges.

With inputs from IANS