By Radha Devi Adhikari | Health Pana
The COVID-19 pandemic has created indelible imprints on the mental health of the world and especially among the youth. Research that has been backed by the United Nations Children Fund has found that one out of every 7 teenagers globally has a mental illness.
The Hidden Burden
Isolation, lockdowns and school closures together with economic insecurity led to the accumulation of anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth.
Mental health services in most countries are still under-funded. World Bank estimates that the economy of the world spends trillions of dollars per year due to lost productivity because of mental health.
Stigma and Access Barriers
South Asian stigma still denies the youth opportunities to seek assistance. Rural areas often lack:
- Professionalized mental health workers.
- Private counseling sessions.
- Community based support systems.
Moving Forward
- Experts recommend:
- Incorporating mental health with primary healthcare.
- Mental health program in schools.
- E-mental health services.
- Advocacy programs by the youth.
It is a social responsibility as well as an economic and developmental imperative to invest in youth mental health.
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