Taking care of teens' mental health

Every year more cases of anxiety and depression are reported in children and adolescents across the world. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one in eight teenagers suffers from anxiety. Although treatments for anxiety and depression are available, 80 per cent of children with an anxiety disorder and 60 per cent of youngsters with depression do not receive treatment. Many of those suffering from depression end up committing suicide.

In our country too, a considerable number of adolescents and young people are suffering from undiagnosed anxiety or depression -- something that is negatively impacting their ability to learn and enjoy life at school and later. When students suffer from anxiety and depression that go unnoticed, their mental health is at risk, which can lead to social and behavioural problems, poor performance and learning, neglected hygiene, poor self-care and low self-esteem.

Fariha Tabassum Piya,

Student of Department of Management,

University of Dhaka, Dhaka,

[email protected]