Editor,
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of mental wellbeing that enables a person to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well, work well, and contribute to their community.
It is not associated with mental disorder as typecast but more of a complex continuum, irrespective of gender, age and sex.
According to a report published by Sage journal on the ‘prevalence of mental health and substance use in the northeastern states’, mental health issues are more prevalent among school-going adolescents and collegians of tribal ethnicity of the Northeast
Arunachal Pradesh exhibits the highest number of mental health issues (41.9 per cent), including emotional and behaviour patterns, surpassing states such as Assam (32.8 per cent), Meghalaya (31.4 per cent), Nagaland (26 per cent), and Manipur (14.22 per cent).
Findings state that high consumption of alcohol and drugs in Arunachal (29.03 per cent) acts as a relief from mental health issues.
Adolescence is a period of growth and self-discovery and emotional, physical, and behavioural changes. It is a crucial stage where an environment plays a pivotal role in shaping the mindset and personality of an individual.
Reports published by Sage journal indicate several key points on the surge of mental issues in our state.
Social stigma
Mental health issues are the least discussed topic among peer groups because of traditional beliefs. Moreover, it is not present in the deep conscience of our mind, and as a result we tend to be ignorant or fear being labelled as weak. Despite government initiatives such as mana’s mobile app, kirpan helpline, and manodarpan, there is a low turnout of students opting for these services.
Self-alienation
A large number of adolescents and youths growing up in the care of relatives, joint families or guardians are expected to act and speak in a certain manner, especially females, bound by the obligation or the patriarchal setup, which in the course of time results in self-alienation, leading to a sense of isolation, and diminishes their self-worth and they find it difficult in forming and maintaining relationships.
Generation gap
Significant generational gaps in attitudes and beliefs lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, resulting in stress and emotional strain in younger individuals. Elders who hold rigid beliefs and enforce them strictly can create an environment where young individuals feel trapped and become unable to express their emotions.
Social media
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat promote unrealistic beauty and idealised images through filters and editing, leading to negative consequences such as body dysmorphia, dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem among adolescents who are more vulnerable.
Unemployment
After graduation, a great number of youths dedicate their time to preparing for government exams, not because of passion or interest but due to lack of proper mentorship and guidance. Only a handful of them are engaged in different sectors, such as content creators, businesspersons, or practitioners of other art forms, despite constant uncooperative environment.
Mitigation measures
Introducing mental health education in school and college curricula will at least make them aware of mental health issues and build ways to tackle it in their own decisive manner.
Physical activities
Engaging in physical activities stimulates endorphins, which is a natural mood lifter and reduces negative emotions, enhances cognitive function, and boosts self-esteem.
Community engagement
Various community-based organisations, so-called student organisations (only raising low-hanging fruits issues), NGOs, and local social media influencers should speak candidly about the issues and raise awareness, as they are significant stakeholders. The public, especially elders, would naturally pay attention to them.
Integration
Training primary care physicians and health workers, and recruiting mental health professionals and incentivising will encourage them as well, as the service will be more accessible.
Modernisation
Young parents and adults should focus on modernisation as it is a progressive transformation, rather than copy-pasting westernisation, shallow within but masked by superficial outlook of westerners, conveying materialism, individualism and unrealistic beauty standards to the younger ones, who are easily influenced by this manoeuvre without understanding the strength of our tribal moral values.
No society is static; over a period of time it evolves by the force of changes within and outside. Likewise, our society is in a transition phase marked by rapid social, cultural, technological, and economic changes having significant impacts on the mental health of adolescents. This period of adolescence is already a challenging time due to the various physical, emotional, and psychological changes that occur, and the added pressures from societal transitions can exacerbate mental health issues.
These transitional phases lead to significant transformations in social norms, values, family dynamics and structures. So it requires concerted efforts from government and all significant stakeholders in mitigating mental health issues, as ameliorating the issues is essential not only for individual wellbeing but for the overall development and prosperity of our state.
Karbom Bui