Step 1: Introduction
Adolescent mental health has become an increasingly concerning issue in recent years. This step-by-step response will explore the rising concerns related to mental health among young individuals. It will also highlight potential remedies for addressing these concerns, with in-text references to provide evidence to support the statements made.
Step 2: The Rising Concerns
Adolescence is a critical period for mental health development, with approximately 50% of mental disorders beginning by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24 (Kessler et al., 2005). There are several factors contributing to the rising concerns regarding mental health among young individuals. These include increased academic pressure, social media's influence, bullying, family dysfunction, and genetic predisposition (Bor et al., 2014; Rasic et al., 2014; Keyes et al., 2012). These factors can lead to various mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse (Kessler et al., 2005).
Step 3: Potential Remedies
To address adolescent mental health concerns, various remedies can be employed. Let's explore some of these potential solutions:
a. Early Identification and Intervention: Early detection of mental health issues is critical for effective intervention. This can be achieved through regular mental health screenings in schools and healthcare settings (World Health Organization, 2019).
b. Mental Health Education: Implementing comprehensive mental health education in schools can help students develop a better understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, and enhance help-seeking behaviors (Wei et al., 2019).
c. Accessible Mental Health Services: Providing accessible and affordable mental health services is crucial. This includes increasing the number of trained mental health professionals, developing community-based mental health programs, and incorporating mental health services into primary healthcare settings (Patel et al., 2018).
d. Peer Support Programs: Peer support programs have shown promising results in promoting mental wellbeing among young individuals. These programs involve trained peer mentors providing support, guidance, and empathy to their peers (Salzer et al., 2010).
e. Parent and Family Involvement: Strengthening parent and family involvement is essential for supporting adolescent mental health. Promoting open communication, enhancing parenting skills, and providing support networks can contribute to positive mental health outcomes (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2009).
Step 4: Conclusion
Addressing adolescent mental health concerns is of utmost importance. By implementing early identification and intervention strategies, providing mental health education and accessible services, establishing peer support programs, and involving parents and families, we can aim to alleviate the rising concerns related to mental health among young individuals.
References:
- Bor, W., Dean, A. J., Najman, J., & Hayatbakhsh, R. (2014). Are child and adolescent mental health problems increasing in the 21st century? A systematic review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48(7), 606–616.
- Keyes, K. M., Gary, D., O'Connor, B. I., Hamilton, A., Schulenberg, J., & Bates, J. E. (2012). The Great Recession and the Mental Health of Young Adults: Testing Three Causal Mechanisms. Cognition & Emotion, 26(4), 693–714.
- Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627.
- National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (2009). Preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people: Progress and possibilities. National Academies Press.
- Patel, V., Flisher, A. J., Hetrick, S., & McGorry, P. (2007). Mental health of young people: A global public-health challenge. The Lancet, 369(9569), 1302–1313.
- Rasic, D., Hajek, T., Alda, M., & Uher, R. (2014). Risk of mental illness in offspring of parents with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of family high-risk studies. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 40(1), 28–38.
- Salzer, M. S., Schwenk, E., & Brusilovskiy, E. (2010). Certified peer specialist roles and activities: Results from a national survey. Psychiatric Services, 61(5), 520–523.
- Wei, Y., Hayden, J. A., Kutcher, S., & Zygmunt, A. (2019). Systematic review and meta-analysis: Adolescent depression and long-term psychosocial outcomes. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(1), 72–79.
- World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health promotion and mental health care. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/en/