Mental health, which had not been spoken about enough and is still a much-neglected issue has received heightened spotlight since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly by 26% and 28% respectively because of the COVID-19 pandemic (WHO).
However, there is still serious misunderstanding about mental health as well as very poor access to prevention and treatment options. If we have a stomachache or a back pain, we see a doctor. But why do we shy away from seeking help when we suffer emotionally? We are in fact quick to judge people who seek professional help for mental health issues.
Mental health conditions, involve significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour. There are many different types of mental disorders like anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders etc. Mental health disorders result from biological, psychological, and environmental causes. Depression, a common mental disorder, is ranked as the single largest contributor to global disability. In its worst form, depression can lead to suicide; over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year according to WHO and suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds.
Good mental health and psychosocial well-being are essential for us all to thrive and to reach our full potential. As parents, communities, and responsible citizens, it is our duty to make sure that we provide children an environment which is nurturing, safe and supportive.
Recently when I interacted with a young female footballer, I realized about the challenges that adolescents face in vulnerable settings which impact their mental health adversely. She told me that she had to fight to play football, which is traditionally seen as a men’s game, was criticized for wearing shorts and was almost ostracized by her society. It takes sheer grit to overcome such biases, the pressure and keep yourself motivated. We need to provide a positive environment for our girls and boys that can help them grow into happy adults and boost their confidence.
Childhood and adolescence are a sensitive period of transition which may get adversely impacted by harmful stigma, social and gender norms. Both girls and boys pay a price for the deeply rooted gender norms, with boys given the message that to be ‘tough’ means withholding emotions; not to shed tears; and for girls, inequitable norms lower their self-esteem, curb their freedom, pressure them into child marriage and encourage damaging ideals of beauty standards - all of which can trigger stress, anxiety, and depression.
Mental health is a global issue, with diagnosable mental health conditions affecting about one in seven, 14 per cent, of children and adolescents aged 6–18 according to IMHE 2019.
While there has been some progress in how mental health is perceived in recent years, many negative beliefs and myths about mental illness persist, which can make people feel uncomfortable, ashamed and stop them from seeking support which they deserve.
There is much stigma attached to mental health which can also extend to families of persons with such conditions. Lack of awareness and understanding about mental wellbeing can negatively affect children and young people’s relationships with family and friends, and result in social exclusion from activities in schools, sports, and society. There are many myths and misconceptions about mental health like - a person with mental health disorder has low intelligence and is weak or adolescents who have good grades and many friends can never be depressed or that nothing can be done to protect a person from developing a mental health condition. There should be efforts to remove these misconceptions through extensive awareness efforts.
We need to act together now to promote mental health for all children, adolescents, and caregivers, protect those in need of help, and care for the most vulnerable. There is an urgent need for investment in child and adolescent mental health across sectors, to support a whole-of-society approach to prevention, promotion, and care.
Parents need to speak to their children so that they can ease out any negative factors from their children’s lives and help them engage in protective and affirming relationships with their friends. Along with positive parenting, schools also need to support mental health through quality services and positive relationships. Sports, drama, music, and painting promote a sense of wellbeing and hence should be encouraged amongst children.
Schools are where children spend maximum time. Teachers need to be supported to develop skills for early identification of issues related to mental health and wellbeing among children so that they can support them with psychological first aid and referrals if required. Before beginning a class, teachers can check if children are doing fine and are feeling comfortable or whether a child is having problems in concentrating or having behavioral issues. Schools and homes should be a safe space where children feel free to discuss any problems that they may be facing.
India already has a Mental Health Act to address gaps in mental health care, recovery, treatment, breaking the stigma and prevention. We need to break the silence surrounding mental illness, through addressing stigma and promoting better understanding of mental health and taking seriously the experiences of children and young people.
We live in a fast-paced world, but we must remember to have a quiet time, reach out to our family and friends for support, avoid stress, keep our mind, and body active and don’t shy away from talking about it. Everyone can benefit from taking active steps to promote their well-being and improve their mental health.
The authors, Dr Kaninika Mitra is Chief of Field Office, & Astha Alang is Communication Specialist at UNICEF Jharkhand. The views expressed in the article are personal.