Department of Psychology, Nagaland University in collaboration with Model Higher Secondary School, A G Colony, Kohima organised an awareness programme on “adolescents and mental health” on April 27 as part of community outreach programme of the department.
In her talk on the subject, assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Nagaland University, Lovika P Shikhu, highlighted the importance of understanding individual differences in intelligence and abilities and stressed on positive youth development in the context of mental well-being.
Lovika said that according to WHO, 20% of teenage by the age of 18 suffer from depressive episodes and mood disorders which accounts for majority of adolescents’ suicides and that it was the third leading cause of death in adolescents.
She said that manifestations of depression in adolescents such as withdrawal from social activities, irritability, low self-esteem, frequent somatic complains and tearfulness often remains unrecognized and untreated in the society.
Lovika said the depression remain untreated due to social stigma and parents lacking awareness about the disorders and called for change in attitude and mind-set in recognizing such disorders and its treatment accordingly.
Addiction disorder in terms of digital/internet addiction was also discussed wherein Lovika said long term addiction habits could result in psychological related problems such as insomnia, irritability, depression and disinterest in academic studies.
The interaction session on various issues was facilitated by assistant professor, department of Psychology, Nagaland University Temsusenla Jamir.
Leave a Reply