Adolescents' perceptions on mental health: A qualitative study from Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage for the onset and development of mental disorders. It is essential to have a wholistic understanding of adolescents' perception of mental health, mental health needs, and factors undermining their mental health in order to develop targeted interventions and policies. The aim of the present study was to examine adolescents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors with regard to mental health and mental health care, mental health training needs, and the book genres, activities in books, and type of illustrations that interests them. The study had a cross-sectional design using a qualitative method of Focus Group Discussion. Adolescents are to an extent aware of mental health problems, the issues that influence their mental health, and the impact of mental health problems on a range of life domains. They have a limited understanding of the concept of mental health and of mental health care practices; they embrace certain myths of mental illness and are wary of seeking help for mental health problems from mental health professionals due to perceived stigma. Adolescents are interested in learning about how to improve their mental health. There is a need to develop policies and multimodal-multicomponent mental health intervention programs for adolescent mental health. These need to be informed by adolescents' mental health needs and perspectives, be culturally sensitive, and focus on all concerned stakeholders.