Key facts

According to the World Health Organization:

• Globally, 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 extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

Understanding Mental Health in Adolescence & Young Adults:

Adolescence is a pivotal stage for shaping social and emotional habits crucial for mental well-being. It's a time when individuals begin to establish key lifestyle patterns such as healthy sleep routines, regular physical activity, and effective coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Additionally, learning to manage emotions during this period is essential. The presence of supportive environments at home, school, and within the community plays a protective role in adolescent mental health.

Factors Influencing Adolescent & Young Adult Mental Health:

Adolescents & Young Adults face multiple challenges that can impact their mental well-being. The accumulation of risk factors can significantly affect their mental health outcomes. Some of these factors include:

• Exposure to Adversity: Experiencing difficult situations or environments during adolescence can lead to increased stress and mental health challenges.

• Peer Pressure and Identity Exploration: The need to conform with peers and the quest for personal identity can create significant emotional distress.

• Media Influence and Gender Norms: These can worsen feelings of inadequacy by highlighting discrepancies between an adolescent’s real life and their aspirations or perceived societal expectations.

• Family and Social Relationships: The quality of interactions with family members and peers is crucial. Positive relationships can foster good mental health, whereas negative interactions can exacerbate stress.

• Violence and Harsh Parenting: Exposure to violence, especially sexual violence and bullying, along with harsh or abusive parenting practices, are serious risks to adolescent mental health. Additionally, severe socioeconomic challenges often compound these risks.

Vulnerable Groups:

Certain adolescents & young adults are more susceptible to mental health conditions due to specific life circumstances:

• Fragile Settings: Those living in humanitarian or unstable environments face heightened risks.

• Health Conditions: Young people with chronic illnesses, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, or other neurological conditions often experience greater challenges.

• Orphans and Minorities: Orphans and adolescents from minority ethnic, sexual backgrounds, or other discriminated groups often face stigma, discrimination, or exclusion.

• Lack of Access to Services: Insufficient access to quality mental health services and support can leave these vulnerable groups without necessary care.

Emotional Disorders:

Emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression, are common in adolescents. Anxiety disorders, manifesting as panic attacks or excessive worry, are more prevalent in older adolescents (4.6% of 15–19-year-olds) compared to younger ones (3.6% of 10–14-year-olds). Depression affects about 1.1% of adolescents aged 10–14 and 2.8% of those aged 15–19. Both conditions can lead to challenges such as poor school performance, social withdrawal, and in severe cases, suicide.

Behavioral Disorders:

Behavioral disorders are typically more frequent in younger adolescents. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder are notable examples, with ADHD affecting 3.1% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds, and conduct disorder presenting similar prevalence. These disorders can hinder educational progress and may lead to criminal behavior in the case of conduct disorder.

*Data from: Institute of health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Health Data Exchange

Eating Disorders:

Commonly developing during adolescence, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa involve intense preoccupation with food and body image. Anorexia nervosa, in particular, carries a high risk of death from complications or suicide, making it one of the deadliest mental disorders.

Psychosis:

Psychotic conditions often first appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions can significantly disrupt daily activities and schooling, leading to stigma and potential human rights abuses.

Suicide and Self-harm:

Suicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of death among older adolescents (15–19 years). Factors contributing to suicide risk include substance abuse, experiences of abuse during childhood, stigma against seeking help, and accessible suicide means.

Risk-taking Behaviors:

Adolescents often engage in health risk behaviors like heavy episodic drinking, with a prevalence of 13.6% among those aged 15–19 in 2016. Tobacco and cannabis use start typically during these years, with significant numbers beginning these habits before turning 18. Risky behaviors such as perpetration of violence are linked with negative outcomes like educational failure, injuries, or criminal involvement.

Prevention and Awareness:

• Understanding and addressing these mental health challenges require focused prevention efforts and increased awareness among parents, educators, and health professionals to foster a supportive environment for adolescents navigating these critical developmental years.

• Enhancing the mental health of adolescents requires a comprehensive approach that addresses these diverse and complex factors. It involves creating supportive environments, reducing exposure to risk factors, and ensuring that vulnerable groups have access to quality mental health services. By understanding and addressing these determinants, we can better support adolescents in navigating this critical period of their lives and help foster their overall mental and emotional development.

Evidence-Based Therapies & Practices:

Mental health therapies are diverse, each addressing specific aspects of psychological well-being through various techniques and strategies. Here's an overview of some prominent therapies used today.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Overview: CBT focuses on the interconnections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It involves identifying harmful thought patterns and transforming them into constructive ones.

• Process: Through sessions with a therapist, individuals learn to replace negative thoughts ("I can't do anything right") with positive ones based on past successes ("I can do this most of the time"). Homework might include journaling or practicing new thought patterns.

  Effectiveness: CBT is proven effective for treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more, with research showing it can alter brain function positively.

  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

• Overview: Developed for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT is now used for various mental health conditions. It integrates CBT's cognitive-based approach with a focus on emotional and social aspects through acceptance.

• Techniques: DBT involves acceptance of challenging thoughts and behaviors and balancing this with efforts to change. Skills like mindfulness and coping strategies are emphasized, often practiced as homework.

  Results: DBT has been effective in reducing the frequency of risky behaviors and improving emotional management.

  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR):

• Purpose: Primarily used for PTSD, EMDR helps reduce the distress from traumatic memories through repetitive eye movements.

• Methodology: During sessions, patients engage in 'dual stimulation,' focusing on eye movements while recalling traumatic events, which can change the emotional response to memories.

• Controversy: Some debate whether the benefits of EMDR come from the eye movements or the exposure to traumatic memories.

  Exposure Therapy:

• Application: This form of CBT is often used for treating OCD, PTSD, and phobias by exposing patients to anxiety triggers under controlled conditions.

• Methods: Techniques include 'flooding' (intense exposure) and 'desensitization' (gradual exposure), helping individuals manage their reactions.

  Interpersonal Therapy (IPT):

• Focus: IPT aims to improve interpersonal skills by addressing the way individuals interact with others, helping identify and alter negative social behaviors.

• Use Cases: While commonly used to treat depression, IPT is also applicable to other mental health conditions.

  Metallization Based Therapy (MBT):

• Target: Primarily used for BPD, MBT enhances a person's capacity to understand the mental states of oneself and others, improving relationships and emotional understanding.

• Approach: MBT involves less structured sessions where patients engage in exercises to improve their metallization abilities.

• Long-term Benefits: Studies indicate MBT provides substantial long-term improvements in BPD symptoms.

  Psychodynamic Psychotherapy:

• Goal: This therapy aims to uncover and resolve deep-seated emotional conflicts by exploring past experiences and unconscious patterns.

• Process: Techniques include open discussions and free association, allowing therapists to identify and address negative behaviors influenced by unresolved conflicts.

• Suitability: Effective for various disorders including depression and anxiety.

  Each of these therapies offers unique benefits and is suited to specific disorders or symptoms, reflecting the complexity and individuality of mental health treatment.

  To learn more about each of these specific modalities click here