Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis in India

The tragic case of three adolescent girls passing in Ghaziabad highlights a larger crisis in child and adolescent mental health in India. This issue is exacerbated by unregulated digital environments and a lack of awareness regarding mental health challenges among younger populations.

Mental Health Issues in Children and Adolescents

• Mental health issues are not limited to adults or older teens but are increasingly seen in much younger children.
• Common disorders include anxiety, depression, attention disorders, and behavioral issues.
• Early trauma, neglect, and chronic stress can disrupt emotional and cognitive development, often surfacing more intensely during adolescence.
• Statistics indicate that between 7% to 10% of Indian adolescents and 5% to 7% of school-aged children have diagnosable mental health conditions.

Lack of Professional Support

• India faces a shortage of trained child and adolescent mental health professionals.
• There are fewer than 10,000 psychiatrists for a population exceeding 1.4 billion, with only a small fraction specializing in child mental health.

Impact of Digital Environment

• The rise in mental health issues correlates with increased smartphone and Internet use, affecting over 800 million Indians.
• Internet addiction is now a clinical concern, marked by loss of control, irritability, sleep disruption, and social withdrawal.
• Excessive screen use exacerbates symptoms of neurodevelopmental conditions and displaces crucial human interaction.

Role of Families and Schools

• Parents play a crucial role as the first mental health buffer for their children.
• Trauma-informed parenting should be a priority, with an emphasis on listening without judgment.
• Schools often prioritize academic performance over emotional wellbeing, which is unsustainable.
• Mental wellbeing is foundational for learning and long-term productivity.

Policy and Programmatic Action

• India's Economic Survey 2025-26 acknowledged rising mental health challenges among youth and proposed preventive strategies.
• Some Indian states are considering regulations to limit adolescent social media use, inspired by countries like Australia, France, and South Korea.
• Strengthening platforms like the National Mental Health Programme and tele-mental health initiatives is critical.
• Funding, guidelines on digital use in schools, and affordable counselling services are urgently needed.

Implementation Challenges

• Stigma surrounding mental health persists, delaying help-seeking behaviors.
• Conversations around mental health need to be normalized within families, schools, and healthcare systems.
• Access to telepsychiatry and digital platforms remains unequal, requiring focused investment.

Conclusion

Preventing tragedies like the Ghaziabad case requires coordinated action among schools, healthcare professionals, and communities. Mental health should be central to child development policies, and the focus must shift from competitiveness to fostering wellbeing, resilience, and connection in childhood.