The UNICEF report, “The State of the World’s Children 2021”, was an eyeopener about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the current generation of children. The report, based on data from 21 countries, highlighted that 1 in 5 young people aged 15-24 often felt depressed or uninterested in doing things.

India, the second populous country, has the highest children and adolescent population (more than 434 million). According to an article published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2019, at least 50 million children in India had mental health issues, even before the pandemic. The UNICEF report states that these numbers have worsened post COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, <1% of the children and adolescents suffering from mental disorders receive treatment. It propels India at the brink of facing a nationwide mental health disorder in its younger population.

Mental disorders in children and adolescents include drastic changes in the way they typically learn, behave or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems in their daily lives. The common clinically diagnosed mental disorders in children and adolescents include anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, eating disorders, conduct disorders, intellectual disability and post-traumatic stress disorder.

As parents and caregivers, it is difficult to differentiate challenging behaviours and emotions that are part of children’s growing phase and real mental issues requiring attention. Some common indicators to seek help are:

• having frequent tantrums or exhibit irritability frequently,
• complaining of body aches or headaches with no medical cause,
• are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly,
• exhibiting risky behaviour due to peer pressure, and
• spending more time alone.

It is advised to seek help if any of these behaviours persist for a few weeks or longer.

To garner attention to this unaddressed issue of mental health among children, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has adopted the theme ‘Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority’ for this year’s World Mental Health Day 2022. Let us all support this cause and help the young population of our nation “Says yes to Life” by being empathetic towards them and ensuring their mental well-being.