Adolescent mental health requires more attention

Adolescence is a special and formative time in our lives, when we go through many changes in our bodies, our emotions, and our relationships with others. During this time, children and adolescents develop physically and socially, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of psychological health.

Supportive circumstances in the home, at school, and in the community are crucial for the development of these behaviors in an individual teenager. Mental health problems affect anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of teenagers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and the vast majority of these cases are either misdiagnosed or go untreated, as is the case in Bangladesh.

Adolescents' mental health is influenced by a number of variables, including their need for independence, the pressure to fit in with their friends, their curiosity about sexuality, and their growing access to and use of technological tools. The gap between an adolescent's current circumstances and their hopes for the future can be widened by the impact of media and gender conventions.

The complexities of a teenager's family life, including his or her parents' connection with one another and with the adolescent, are also crucial. Emotional stability can be disrupted by being exposed to stressful or out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. Adolescents may experience "comparison-syndrome" or "imposter syndrome" if they are under excessive pressure to perform well in school from teachers, parents, and other family members.

Poor living conditions, social stigma, discrimination or exclusion, and a lack of access to quality support and services all put adolescents in poor countries like Bangladesh at a higher risk of mental health issues.

From 5-15% of 15-19 year olds in Bangladesh suffer from serious depressive illness, according to the Bangladesh Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey 2019-20. The prevalence of major depressive illness is higher among women (11-15%) than men (5%). A greater rate of major depressive illness is found among married adolescent females (15%) compared to single teenage girls (11%).

Parents should check on their adolescents. It is crucial to take the time to inquire about their day and well-being. This may be accomplished while completing a home task, such as preparing supper.

It is essential for children to know that their parents are there for them and recognize and comprehend their emotions. As a parent, it is essential to keep in mind that a positive approach is more effective than a negative or critical one.