World Mental Health Day: Warning signs your teen is struggling with a mental health issue

Mental health is the least talked about aspect of human health whereas on the contrary it should be the one which everyone should be aware of. There is a special need to pay attention to the mental health of teens. It is because kids of this age group go through several bodily changes and find it extremely hectic on the outside.

Read: Signs your teen is in a toxic relationship and how to help them

"Mental health issues in children and adolescents are very different from what it used to be in the last 20 years. As we see too much of advancements around us in the form of electronics, media, etc, the mental health issues have also changed and the challenges have also changed," says Dr. Soumiya Mudgal Consultant, Mental Health And Behavioural Sciences, Psychiatry, Max Hospital Gurgaon.

"While this period poses a unique set of demands on them, supportive environments at home, school and the wider community are crucial to foster their mental well-being. However, in the current times, teenagers are under increasing growth expectations, competition stress and life-threatening challenges - An estimated 31.9% of adolescents (13-18) suffer from some anxiety disorder, and an average of 7.74 daily relationship conflicts (with family/friends /peers) were reported. Globally suicide rate is currently highest among teens & young adults," says Neeraj Kumar, Founder & CEO of PeakMind.

Backing this, Saurav Kasera, Co-founder of CLIRNET says, one must understand that a teen undergoes much more than physical changes – intellectual turmoil, hormonal disturbances, and even socio-political pressures from peers. In such an age, it is crucial to look out for potential harm in their mental health and provide efficient solutions for helping them overcome these.

The experts have listed the following as the warning signs of mental illness in teens:

• Change in social behavior : either pulling away from family and/or friends or a sudden increase in social activity. The teen may show a frenzied rise in partying and other outings or sexual acting out.

• A sudden lack of interest in activities that previously he or she enjoyed

• A sudden fall in grades, struggle with concentration

• Changes in sleeping and/ or eating habits - the teen may have difficulty falling asleep or sleep excessively. Similarly may display loss of appetite or eat a lot.

• Severe mood swings, often showing constant irritability with family and friends

• The teen may be visibly anxious and show signs of extreme worrying - so much so that it gets in the way of daily life at school or at home.

• Tiredness and complaints of aches and pains such as headaches, stomach ache in the absence of any physical ailment.

• In some cases, increased use of alcohol and/or substances

• Excessive Anger: It is natural to cry, worry, or feel angry. However, if you notice your teen is developing such behaviors frequently – accompanied by violent outbursts – it could be a sign of a fluctuating mental health issue

• Irregular Eating Habits: Mostly ignored, appetite changes in teens directly warn about an ongoing mental health strain among teens. If your child is unable to eat wholesome food, or even showcases binge eating or stress-eating patterns, or does not eat at all, it means you should check on you’re the conversations your teen is having inside their mind.

"The behaviours exhibited by teenagers are often written off as a ‘childish thing' or ‘puberty thing’ but it can be a sign of something more, like a mental health concern or illness," believes Neeraj Kumar.

Apart from the signs mentioned above, other minor warning signs are disinterest in physical appearance, detachment from reality, social anxiety, loss of interest in outdoor or physical activities, complaints regarding daily routine, physical illnesses including headaches, muscle aches, and digestive disorders can potentially lead to bigger mental health issues if not checked on time, warns Saurav Kasera and emphasizes on the effect of mental illness on the growth and physical health of the kid.

"Globally it has been found that many mental health problems emerge during mid-or late adolescence. Suicide is one of the leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds," says Gracy Andrew, Clinical Psychologist & Special Advisor to CorStone and adds that "if we do not pay attention to the well-being at the adolescent stage, it can impact the overall health and potential of an entire next generation. Also, many of them are at the threshold of parenthood themselves; their wellbeing can influence the upbringing of the next generation of children."

Supporting this, Neeraj Kumar says, issues that teenagers face are as important and urgent as that of adults. Realising how mental health affects overall health, wellbeing, academic performance, future decisions, career and even relationships makes it essential for us to take proactive steps towards it and start formally educating and training them for their mental health & wellbeing skills.

Sudden closure of schools, disturbance in family income, and overall chaos has definitely affected the mental health of kids. The effect of staying indoors and put under lockdown in order to not contract the virus has put a terrible impact on the minds of kids. But the fact is that very little is being talked about.

"Learning levels have got impacted since digital access was poor and girls were less likely to get access to a phone then boys in very poor families. The one phone in a family was the only device available for getting access to education during covid - this has impacted their learning levels now that they are back in schools," says Gracy Andrew.

Parents and educational institutes need to take the onus.

Understanding the warning signs is the key. "If we see any child whose behavior is changing as compared to what his natural regular behavior is like if the child is more withdrawn or starts crying on minor things, or his eating and sleeping habits are changing are some initial flags which are to be identified and shouldn't be ignored by parents. Other factors which has to be taken care off is nowadays a lot of teenagers are very active and proactive towards their mental health and they are aware about mental health issues, so in case the child says that they are feeling some troubles in moods etc, all this should be addressed by parents and if felt the child should be taken to a therapist or psychiatrist for counseling," suggests Dr Mudgal.

"Students can be taught to become more aware of their own feelings, learn to recognize feelings in others and learn to regulate the same. Supporting each other when the other is experiencing difficult emotions will help them build strong relationships. These practices will surely help students become resilient," says Gracy Andrew in a message to the schools and adds a note about parents too.

"Parents have to spend time with their children, listen to them empathetically and help them learn to recognize their feelings, to make choices and learn from challenges that they face. By expressing and sharing their own emotions they are role models for their children. By doing things together with their children such as doing some art or craft with them or some fun games etc… This builds the relationship and keeping communication channels open by trying to be non-judgemental also helps," she says.