Adolescents need life skill training to cope with stress: psychiatrists

Globally, one in seven children in the 10-19 age group experiences mental health problems. It is accentuated in India as a fifth of the population is in the adolescent age group, psychiatrists say. However, recognizing the signs of depression early will help treat them.

In a webinar on “Teen Suicides: Busting the Myths” hosted by the hindu As part of their wellness series, the adolescent mental health experts at Naruvi Hospital, Vellore explained how children’s mental health should be fostered.

The hospital’s senior pediatrician, V. Nagarajan, called for effective surveillance programs. Responsibility for an adolescent’s mental health rests with parents, family members, friends, and neighbors.

Parents can address persistent daily problems. Issues such as school absenteeism, chronic lying, stealing, fatigue, change in appetite, incessant crying, withdrawal from people and family are signs to watch out for. “There are specific gatekeeper programs to recognize mental health problems in adolescents. Everyone needs to avoid the stigma,” she said.

Shinika R., team leader of the hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Child Development Unit, said that according to studies in India, 6% of adolescents in community samples and 23% in school samples had mental health problems. Teenage girls are twice as susceptible, she said.

“The expression of suicidal thoughts is not a threat but a cry for help. They need a lot of life skills education on critical thinking and problem solving. It will help them cope with stress. When you increase skills in children, they will be better at coping with stress,” she said.

Tangella Ravikanth, Director and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Dr. Ravi’s Child Guidance Clinics and Little Wings Child Development Center, Hyderabad, urged parents to have conversations with their children. “There should be no distractions like the phone when she talks to her son,” she said. Not judging the child, looking at the problem from her perspective and listening instead of talking would give the child the confidence to open up and express her fears, she added.