Mental Health Interventions among Adolescents in India: A Scoping Review.

Devika Mehra,Nishtha Kathuria,Sunil Mehra,Manish Kumar,Theophilus Lakiang,Shantanu Sharma

doi:10.3390/healthcare10020337

Abstract

Early adolescence is the period of the emergence of most mental disorders contributing significantly to the mental health burden globally, including India. The major challenges in India are early identification of mental health problems, treatment gap, lack of professionals, and interventions that address the same. Our review aimed to assess the effectiveness of mental health interventions among adolescents in India. We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases and used cross-referencing to review the interventions published from 2010 to 2020. Eleven interventions were included in this review; nine were school-based, one community, and one digital. Most of the school-based programs used a life skills curriculum. Additionally, coping skills and resilience curricula showed improvement in depressive symptoms, cognitive abilities, academic stress, problem-solving, and overall mental well-being. The multi-component whole-school intervention was quite promising and helped in improving the overall school climate and various other mental health outcomes. Hence, school-based programs should be implemented as an entry point for screening mental health problems. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive mental health program in the country for adolescents. Additionally, there is a need to address the gap by conducting more interventions for early and out-of-school adolescents.

Highlights

Mental health is fundamental to good health and well-being, and it influences social and economic outcomes throughout life [1,2]
In this review, we found only one community-based intervention conducted among adolescents, with one arm implemented in a rural community setting delivered through peer leaders, and the other delivered in an urban setting through trained teachers [35]
The studies included in this review demonstrate that high quality and effective mental health promotion interventions and their evaluation through well-designed research studies are feasible in LMIC settings

Summary

Introduction

Mental health is fundamental to good health and well-being, and it influences social and economic outcomes throughout life [1,2]. Childhood and adolescence are crucial for laying a foundation for healthy development and good mental health [3]. The increasing burden of mental health problems among this population is a growing concern globally [4]. Most mental disorders begin before 25 years of age, more often between 11–18 years [5]. The burden associated with common mental disorders (depressive and anxiety disorders) rises in childhood and peaks in adolescence and early to middle age (10–29 years) [6]. A meta-analysis estimated that the global prevalence for any mental disorder among children and adolescents is 13.4% [7]

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