TO STUDY THE MENTAL HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The proper development of societies depends on the mental health of children and adolescents. The future growth of low-income nations around the world is heavily reliant on the mental health of children and adolescents. With a sizable population, 50% of whom are children and adolescents, and diverse physical, economic, social, and cultural situations, India stands out as a special case. One of the first emerging nations to create a national mental health programme was India. Since this historic acceptance almost 30 years ago, there have been significant changes in India's population mental health and healthcare delivery. Services for children's mental health have been underfunded in India for more than 60 years. Additionally, the requirements of children and adolescents in terms of mental health have not been sufficiently met by national mental health officials.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programme on mental health characteristics among adolescents and children

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This Observational study has been conducted in the Department of Pediatrics. Children and adolescents benefit from community and school-based interventions for mental health that are interaction-based. A PICOS definition of this query is as follows: Is the effectiveness of interaction-based therapies (Intervention) in children and adolescents (Population) in reducing disruptive behaviours and affective symptoms including depression and anxiety, strengthening social skills, and enhancing wellbeing. In this study, children mean boys and girls in the age group of 6-18 years who are living in children’s homes. A total of 150 adolescents and 150 children were selected by using stratified random sampling techniques that fulfilled the sampling criteria. 

RESULTS: The frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables of adolescents with respect to age, class,religion, father’s education, and mother’s education. Considering the age of the adolescents, 40(25.64%) belonged to 11–12 years, & 13–14 years respectively. 35(24.62%) belonged to the age group of 14-15 years and the age group of 15–16years. Also Considering the age of the Children, 40(25.64%) belonged to 6-7 years, & 7-8 years respectively. Withregard to the physical domain of mental health characteristics, the majority 234(82.56%) had inadequate, 60(30.38%) had moderately adequate, and 6(4.05%) had an adequate level of mental health characteristics. Regarding the familial and social domain of mental health characteristics, the majority 299 (99.49%) had inadequate and 1(0.51%) had moderately adequate levels of mental health characteristics.

CONCLUSION: There is proof that these interventions have a positive impact on children and adolescents' mental health, both in terms of reducing internalizing and externalizing symptoms and elevating individual wellbeing. Intervention programmes that prioritise contact as a key component also boost factors that support mental health, such as social support or involvement. The management of the gynecologic side effects of psychiatric medications, the provision of reliable contraception, and routine testing for STIs are all ways that the obstetrician-gynecologist can help. Mental health disorders should be managed by mental health care professionals or appropriately trained primary care providers. 

KEYWORDS: Mental health, schools, Communities, Children, Adolescence.