Why Youth Mental Health Should Be a National Priority

May 26 2025 TalktoAngel 0 comments 152 Views

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, the mental health of young people is under more pressure than ever before. Between academic stress, social media influences, peer pressure, family expectations, and global uncertainties, the youth of today are navigating a complex emotional landscape. While physical health continues to receive national attention, mental health, particularly youth mental health, often remains in the shadows. But this needs to change.

Youth mental health should be recognised not just as a personal or familial concern but as a national priority—one that directly impacts the nation's economic growth, social well-being, education system, and future leadership.

The Scope of the Problem: A Silent Crisis

The World Health Organisation indicates that approximately 10-20% of children and adolescents globally experience mental health disorders. Disturbingly, a significant number of these cases remain undiagnosed and without treatment. In India, reports suggest that nearly 1 in 7 people aged 15 to 24 years experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals an unsettling rise in suicides among students, with over 13,000 students dying by suicide in 2021 alone.

The youth of today are dealing with unprecedented challenges, ranging from academic pressure and unstable career prospects to cyberbullying, social isolation, and climate anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened this crisis, disrupting education, increasing loneliness, and exposing young people to grief and loss.

Yet, despite these alarming statistics, mental health remains grossly underfunded and under-discussed in national policy frameworks. The question is—why aren’t we acting fast enough?

Why Prioritising Youth Mental Health is Crucial

1. Early Intervention Prevents Lifelong Struggles

Studies show that half of all mental health disorders begin by the age of 14, with 75% emerging by the mid-20s. If detected early, many of these can be effectively treated or managed, reducing the risk of long-term mental illness. However, stigma and lack of awareness often prevent young people from seeking help, leading to worsening symptoms, school dropouts, substance abuse, and even suicide.

Investing in early mental health care not only reduces long-term treatment costs but also improves the overall quality of life.

2. Academic Success Is Linked to Mental Well-being

Students dealing with emotional distress often struggle to concentrate, perform well in exams, or engage in classroom activities. Mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression directly impact cognitive functioning, learning abilities, and memory retention. A student may be physically present in school but mentally absent.

Creating psychologically safe educational environments can enhance academic outcomes, reduce dropouts, and promote a more inclusive and resilient generation.

3. Mental Health Fuels Economic Growth

India possesses one of the largest youth demographics globally. If nurtured well, this demographic can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. However, young individuals suffering from untreated mental health issues are at a higher risk of being unemployed, underemployed, or disengaged from the workforce.

A report from the Lancet Commission indicated that the worldwide financial burden of mental health disorders may escalate to $16 trillion by the year 2030, resulting in considerable declines in productivity. Investing in youth mental health is not a burden—it is a high-return investment in the nation’s economic future.

4. It Reduces Social Issues and Builds Stronger Communities

Mental illness can increase the risk of substance abuse, violence, crime, and self-harm. Youth facing emotional neglect or trauma may find themselves in conflict with the law or involved in toxic relationships. On the other hand, promoting emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and stress-management skills in youth contributes to more peaceful, empathetic communities.

When we focus on youth mental health, we are actively contributing to crime prevention, gender sensitivity, and social harmony.

Barriers to Mental Wellness for Youth

Notwithstanding the increasing awareness, numerous obstacles still hinder advancement:

Stigma and cultural taboos: Many families still view mental illness as a sign of weakness or a moral failing.
Lack of access to trained professionals: Especially in rural India, the scarcity of psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists makes help inaccessible.
Financial constraints: Private therapy is expensive, and public systems are overwhelmed or underfunded.
Digital overload and social comparison: The pressure to appear “perfect” on social media increases anxiety, low self-worth, and isolation.
Educational pressure: Constant focus on academic success ignores emotional well-being.

What Can Be Done? A Way Forward

To make youth mental health a national priority, we need systemic, policy-driven, and grassroots-level action.

1. Stronger National Policies and Budget Allocations

Mental health should be central to the National Youth Policy and Health Missions. The Mental Healthcare Act (2017) must be enforced more robustly, ensuring that every youth has the right to accessible, affordable, and quality mental health services.

Budget allocations for mental health, which currently stand at less than 1% of the total health budget, must be significantly increased.

2. Integration in School and College Curricula

Mental health education should be introduced as part of the formal curriculum from a young age, teaching coping strategies, emotional literacy, empathy, and self-care. Schools should employ trained counsellors, offer confidential mental health services, and create safe spaces for dialogue.

College campuses should set up peer-support networks, helplines, and conduct regular mental health screenings.

3. Use of Digital Technology for Mental Health Support

With youth spending significant time online, mental health apps, chatbots, and tele-counselling platforms can play a key role. Government and private sectors can collaborate to launch youth-friendly, evidence-based mental health tools in regional languages.

4. Community Awareness and Family Involvement

Parents and guardians should be sensitised through workshops, community programs, and social campaigns. Mental health must be normalised in everyday conversations. A mentally healthy child requires a supportive, understanding ecosystem—both at home and outside.

Contributed By: Contributed by Dr. (Prof.) R. K. Suri, Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach, &. Ms. Srishti Jain, Counselling Psychologist.

References

Deloitte. (2022). Mental health and well-being in the workplace. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com
Indian Council of Medical Research. (2020). National Mental Health Survey of India. ICMR.
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2022). Annual Report 2021–22. Government of India.
National Crime Records Bureau. (2022). Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2021. Ministry of Home Affairs. https://ncrb.gov.in