World Adolescent Mental Wellness Day is globally acknowledged on March 2 annually, fostering awareness about the intricate mental health challenges confronting teenagers.

The essence of this day lies in the concerted endeavor to enlighten and destigmatize an increasingly prevalent concern. Marking this day revolves around ensuring the provision of support and care tailored to enhance the mental well-being of adolescents.

Historical Context – In 2020, Hollister instigated World Adolescent Mental Wellness Day, a groundbreaking occasion exclusively dedicated to acknowledging the mental wellness of teens. The Registrar at the National Day Calendar officially decreed its annual observance on March 2nd.

The Hollister Confidence Project – A year-round, people-powered initiative, The Hollister Confidence Project is committed to empowering teens worldwide to feel maximally confident, comfortable, and competent. The Hollister Confidence Fund disburses grants to non-profit entities and projects focusing on domains like adolescent mental health, equity for young Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ youth safety and inclusion, anti-bullying endeavors, and sustainability.

In Accordance with the Mental Health Foundation Report:

• 20 percent of adolescents might grapple with a mental health predicament in any given year.
• By age 14, 50 percent of mental health problems are discernible, escalating to 75 percent by age 24.
• Even though 10 percent of children and young individuals (aged 5 to 16 years) may harbor a clinically diagnosable mental problem, a staggering 70 percent of those undergoing mental health tribulations lack timely interventions.

The spotlight on teen mental health is imperative due to the transitional phase where young individuals gain autonomy and potentially withdraw. Adolescents navigate the formative years, encountering shifts in their physical and emotional states. A supportive, encouraging, and secure environment is paramount to enable them to express themselves openly. Unfortunately, many teens lack such an environment, impeding emotional expression and adversely affecting mental health. Early identification and resolution of mental health issues during this phase can be immensely advantageous for the individuals involved.

World Health Organization’s (WHO) Response – WHO is actively engaged in formulating strategies, programs, and tools to aid governments in addressing the health needs of adolescents. The Helping Adolescents Thrive (HAT) Initiative, a collaborative effort between WHO and UNICEF, aims to fortify policies and programs for adolescent mental health. These endeavors specifically strive to champion mental health, forestall mental health conditions, and curb self-harming and other perilous behaviors such as substance abuse that detrimentally impact mental and physical health.

WHO has developed a module on Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Disorders as part of the mhGAP Intervention Guide 2.0. This guide offers evidence-based clinical protocols for assessing and managing various mental health conditions in non-specialized care settings.

WHO is actively developing and evaluating scalable psychological interventions addressing emotional disorders in adolescents, along with providing guidance on mental health services tailored for this demographic.

Awareness of Youth Mental Health in India – A report by Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind reveals that over 50 percent of youth (18-24 years old) in India grapple with poor mental health. Titled ‘Mental State of India: Internet-enabled Youth,’ the report notes a decline in the mental health of young people in the country during the pandemic.

In 2020, the average Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) for youth stood at 28, witnessing a drop to 20 in 2023. Across income groups, the MHQ of young individuals remained consistently lower. A youth earning less than Rs 1 lakh annually had an MHQ of 10, in stark contrast to individuals aged 45-54 earning the same amount, with an MHQ of 73. Similarly, youth earning more than Rs 10 lakh had an MHQ of 24, while those aged 45-54 with similar earnings boasted an MHQ of 94.

Enhancing Child and Adolescent Mental Health in India – PROJECT UDAYA: UDAYA is a pioneering study on adolescents in India, comprehensively examining the lives of adolescents and young adults in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Population Council is conducting UDAYA.

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram: Launched in 2014, Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram is a national program with the goal of ameliorating the health and well-being of adolescents in India, encompassing their mental health.

Parental Strategies to Improve Teen Mental Health – Advocate a Balanced Parenting Style: Employing a balanced parenting style proves optimal for fostering better mental health in children. This approach strikes a harmonious balance between warmth and rules, ensuring that teens feel cared for even amidst errors.

Inculcate Stress Coping Skills in Teens – The pivotal factor lies in how we navigate stress. When stress reaches overwhelming proportions, it becomes a precursor to compromised mental health. Teens require adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise as essential components in managing stress.

Exemplify Self-Care as a Role Model – Prioritizing self-care is a strategic facet of parenting, serving as a model for adolescents. Allocating time for leisure and relaxation is indispensable for maintaining personal health and well-being.

Recognize Warning Signs – While it is commonplace for teens to grapple with stress, discerning when there’s more at play is crucial. Adolescents depend on adults to identify signs indicative of anxiety or depression, guiding them toward necessary assistance.

Seeking Professional Aid – Initiating contact for professional help underscores resilience. In certain situations, life’s challenges can become overpowering, necessitating assistance from individuals specially trained in counseling or therapy. Their expertise can fortify our coping abilities.