COVID-19’s Lasting Shadow: Adolescent Mental Health in Crisis 

Anandhu, an outstanding plus-two student who achieved a perfect A+ in his SSLC exams, is facing a tough battle. His father reports alarming mood swings, with Anandhu becoming aggressive towards his family, including physically attacking them and even stabbing them with his fingers. In one harrowing incident, he damaged his father’s eardrum. Medical professionals have attributed this to post-COVID mental health issues common among adolescents. Anandhu has no prior mental health history and used his mobile phone for academics during the pandemic. His father notes that Anandhu’s continuous movie-watching in 2024 may have contributed to his condition, with symptoms emerging in February. Although Anandhu isn’t in his right mind during these outbursts, he later expresses remorse saying he is not aware what he is doing. His family is now seeking hospital treatment to support his recovery. The family belonging to Malappuram district is worried that this may have a setback in the academic progress of their child. 

The COVID-19 lockdown period has cast a long and ominous shadow over the mental wellbeing of adolescents, exacting a severe toll on this vulnerable population and threatening to alter the trajectory of their lives. As the pandemic’s grip continues to loosen, the lingering psychological aftermath is emerging as a pressing concern, demanding urgent attention and collective action. 

Dr. Virupaksha Harave, Professor and Head of Psychiatry at BGS Medical College and Hospitals, Bangalore, highlights the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents. During the lockdown, adolescents spent excessive time at home, leading to screen addiction and significant monitoring by family members, which causes behavioral problems. Parents also struggled to engage their children, leading to further issues.

The key stressors affecting adolescents include academic pressure from schools and parents, family conflicts, and social isolation. This has resulted in a rise in depression, anxiety, and psychiatric issues, as well as undiagnosed conditions like ADHD and Specific Learning Disability (SLD).

“The long-term implications of these stressors can significantly impair adolescents’ emotional and physical wellbeing. However, Dr. Harave emphasizes that adolescents are resilient and can recover with proper support and guidance. 

To mitigate future risks, Dr. Harave advocates for developing policies and guidelines for pandemic-like situations. This includes creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for academic, social, and family interactions, preparing adolescents for potential problems, and providing guidelines for managing children in schools and at home. Additionally, developing infrastructure for safety and teaching adolescents about safety behavior is crucial.

Dr. Harave also stresses that excessive screen dependence has contributed significantly to mental health issues, leading to behavioral problems, attention issues, and social isolation. By addressing these concerns and providing supportive interventions, adolescents can navigate these challenges and thrive.

Dr. Keerthi Sundar, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SMRCI Hospital, shares his clinical observations, noting that about 6-10 out of 80 outpatients in his department are adolescents. He emphasizes the crucial roles of schools and families in fostering mental wellbeing and supporting recovery, thereby reducing caregiver burden. Dr. Keerthi welcomes the Indian government’s recognition of the need to integrate mental health into the National Education Policy( NEP), acknowledging that this will require significant efforts, including teacher training, establishing child guidance clinics, recruiting educational psychologists, and providing therapists.     

To strengthen the healthcare system, Dr. Keerthi advocates for improving accessibility to healthcare and education in rural and underserved areas. He stresses the importance of collaboration among governments, NGOs, and stakeholders. Dr. Keerthi recommends targeting children in schools to raise awareness, citing evidence-based approaches such as lectures, group activities, and 1:1 mentorship as effective methods for promoting health awareness among adolescents.

According to Dr. VINAY.H.R, Professor and Head of Psychiatry at Siddaganga Medical College & Research Institute, Karnataka, the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on adolescent mental health. The long-term implications include a rise in anxiety and depression due to prolonged isolation and grief, digital fatigue from excessive screen time, social skill deficits from reduced peer interaction, and educational gaps leading to self-esteem issues.

To mitigate these effects, Dr. Vinay H.R recommends implementing school-based mental health programs, routine mental health screenings, parental engagement, and promoting physical activity and social engagement. A collaborative effort from parents, educators, and policymakers is crucial in supporting adolescents. This includes encouraging open communication, providing individualized learning support, and ensuring adequate funding for school counselors and mental health curricula.

Schools play a vital role in promoting mental health by integrating mental health literacy into the curriculum, designating safe spaces for emotional decompression, and reducing high-stakes testing. Peer mentorship programs can also help normalize discussions around mental health.

Dr Vinay says identifying and addressing undiagnosed ADHD and Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is critical. This requires teacher training to recognize early signs, universal screening, and multi-disciplinary assessments. Support systems, such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and remedial education, can help foster inclusion and reduce stigma.

To prepare for future pandemics, Dr. Vinay  H.R emphasizes the need for policies and guidelines that promote adolescent wellbeing. This includes continuity of learning plans, mental health response frameworks, parental and teacher training, and balancing academic, social, and family needs through flexible curricula and scheduled peer interactions.

The Pandemic’s Impact on Adolescent Mental Health: A Study by Dhanya N  

A study conducted by Dhanya N, an Assistant Professor of Home Science at St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, reveals the profound impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health. The study identifies key stressors, including anxiety and uncertainty about academics, health scares, and disrupted routines during lockdowns. Additionally, excessive screen time led to screen fatigue, difficulty in socialization, and low self-esteem due to social media overexposure.

The study also highlights the cognitive development implications, including reduced attention span, impaired executive functions, and decreased academic performance. Mental health concerns, such as addiction, body image issues, and delayed emotional regulation, are also prominent. The study’s key observations indicate that 57% of adolescents experienced emotional distress, 52% felt lonely or sad, and 61% spent 10-12 hours online per day.

To address these concerns, the study recommends open conversation, monitoring and guiding tech use, and creating parent peer-support groups. School counselors, life skill learning, and community awareness campaigns are also essential. The study suggests creating platforms for inter-generational engagement and involving local mental health professionals in awareness drives.

The study’s policy-level recommendations include creating a mental health plan specifically for teenagers, increasing trained counselors in schools, and ensuring equal access to online learning. Health centers, such as Arogya Kendras and Primary Health Centers, can provide basic mental health support. Schools and teachers can play a vital role by teaching life skills, training teachers to spot mental health issues, and creating a balanced and joyful school environment.

Families and communities can also make a difference by creating a safe space for children, helping parents understand mental health, and bringing teens back to community life through sports, arts, and cultural events. By implementing these recommendations, it is possible to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on adolescent mental health and promote overall wellbeing.

The study underscores the urgent need to address the mental health concerns of adolescents in the post-pandemic era. By adopting a multi-faceted approach that involves policymakers, schools, families, and communities, we can support the mental health and wellbeing of this vulnerable population and help them thrive.  

According to a study on ‘ the Impact of COVID-19 On children and adolescents: an Indianperspectives and Reminiscent Model’ by Akhila K P, a research associate at Central University of Kerala, and Dr.Jilly John, an Assistant professor of Social work at Central University of Kerala the report highlights the significant impact of COVID-19 on children and adolescents in India, who constitute 11.89% of confirmed cases. The pandemic has led to school closures, affecting over 888 million youngsters globally, and shifting education to online platforms. This has resulted in challenges such as unavailability of smartphones, unreliable internet, and lack of technology skills, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. Key concerns include:  

Mental Health : Increased vulnerability to mental health issues, rising suicide rates, and stress due to lack of access to smart devices and social relationships.

Child Marriage : Heightened risk of child marriages due to economic fallout, with an estimated 13 million additional child marriages globally over the next decade.

Domestic Violence : Increased reports of child abuse and violence, with 92,000 calls to India’s child helpline during the lockdown.

Menstrual Hygiene: Unmet need for sanitary pads, leading to unhygienic practices and potential health consequences.

Malnutrition: Risk of exacerbated malnutrition due to disruption of government schemes and programmes.

The report proposes a Psychosocial Response Model for Pandemic Management (PRP Model), emphasizing individual, community, and institutional-level initiatives. Kerala’s successful management of COVID-19 is cited as an example, highlighting strategies such as active surveillance, community engagement, and psychosocial support. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for standardized PRP models to guide future crisis management and ensure the care and protection of vulnerable young populations.

Ends