Our world is home to 1.8 billion people of age of 10-24 years, contributing about one-fourth of the total world population. India has the highest number of this age group with 356 million, despite having a smaller population than China.

Young age is a formative phase with major impacts on the future. Taking care of our physical health is told to us right from our childhood, but something that needs equal attention is our mental health. In a world where everyone is trying to win the rat race, mental health is degrading and symptoms are visible at a very young age.

About 20-25% people suffer from mental and substance use disorders( MSUDs ) worldwide. Recently concluded mental health survey of India estimates the current prevalence of mental disorders in the age group of 18-29 at 7.39% and lifetime prevalence at 9.54%.
Today’s youth is burdened with a lot of expectations and coping up with the toxic competitive environment out there is not possible for everyone. Social media acts as a catalyst here. The revolutionary developments in Information Technology (IT) have been accompanied by ill effects such as reduced social interaction, lack of physical activities and a more sedentary lifestyle. In-person interactions have drastically reduced and are replaced by social networking platforms. A substantial time of the day is spent on the internet and we are exposed to cyber crime, cyber bullying and violent video games. All this leads to anxiety, depression, frustration, distress and other mental health problems among youth.

Seeking therapy/ counseling/ coaching is recommended after acknowledging the problem. Seeking help for mental & emotional issues is still a taboo in our society; and we need to change this paradigm.

Some ways to enhance mental health include:

1. Socializing – Increase in human interaction provides a sense of belonging and can help overcome insecurities.
2. Sharing – Talking to someone trustworthy and sharing our emotions helps reduce the pain.
3. Limiting the time spent on social media
4. Regular Exercise
5. Meditation
6. Eating right
7. Sleeping well

Doing all these things help overcome mental health disorders and lead us towards happy and healthy lives.

On this World Mental Health Day, let’s know that “It’s OK to not be OK” and remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders. Let’s work towards being happier and healthier versions of ourselves.

There are multiple factors that in our life. We are not even aware that some of these may come in disguises.

We often think if someone is pregnant or has a new baby, that woman should be naturally happy and fulfilled. But in these phases can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety and fatigue. After giving birth, women experience a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormonal changes, coupled with sleep deprivation, can lead to a condition known as postpartum depression (PPD). Women may need additional support & care at home and work.

are often considered as carefree, fun-filled years. Adolescence is a period marked by significant hormonal changes, including the onset of puberty. The surge in hormones like estrogen and testosterone can affect brain development, leading to mood swings, irritability, and increased vulnerability to mental health disorders. Teenagers may experience conditions such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, which can be influenced by hormonal imbalances.

One may be living and working in state of art or posh houses/ offices. On the outset everything may look hunk-dory. There maybe that impact your mental health. Adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma, abuse, neglect, or early loss of a loved one, can have long-lasting effects on mental health. Other environmental factors like chronic stress, exposure to violence or conflict, toxic work culture can also increase the risk of mental health problems.

One can be sad & depressed and still put a smiling face. At times, close family and friends may not understand the gravity of your situation, if you do not express it. Time does not heal anything. One needs to consciously and courageously work on self-healing.
of mental health issues maybe due to these ?????? ???????. So seek help, if required, without hesitation. There are many ways to deal with problems and heal yourself. Read below.