How can early intervention help adolescents with mental health disorders?
Adolescence is a critical period of development, marked by physical, psychological, and social changes. It is also a time when many mental health disorders emerge or worsen, affecting the well-being and functioning of young people. According to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases are undetected and untreated . This can have serious consequences for the individual, their family, and society, such as increased risk of school dropout, substance abuse, violence, self-harm, and suicide.
Early intervention is a key strategy to prevent or reduce the impact of mental health disorders in adolescents. Early intervention refers to the timely provision of appropriate and evidence-based services and supports to young people who are experiencing or at risk of developing mental health problems . Early intervention can help adolescents to:
– Identify and cope with their emotions and stressors
– Enhance their self-esteem and resilience
– Develop healthy relationships and social skills
– Access academic and vocational opportunities
– Receive appropriate treatment and care for their mental health needs
– Prevent the onset or worsening of mental health disorders
– Reduce the risk of negative outcomes such as disability, stigma, isolation, and chronicity
Early intervention can take various forms, such as screening and assessment, psychoeducation, counselling, peer support, family involvement, medication, and referral to specialized services. Early intervention can be delivered in different settings, such as schools, primary care, community centers, online platforms, and youth-specific services . Early intervention requires a multidisciplinary and transdiagnostic approach that involves collaboration among mental health professionals, educators, health care providers, social workers, youth workers, parents, and young people themselves .
Early intervention in youth mental health is not only beneficial for the individual, but also for the society. It can reduce the burden of mental illness on the health care system, improve the productivity and quality of life of young people, and promote social inclusion and cohesion . Early intervention can also save costs in the long term by preventing or delaying the need for more intensive and expensive services later in life .
Therefore, early intervention in youth mental health is a vital and effective strategy to promote the well-being and potential of adolescents. It is important to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in young people, to reduce stigma and discrimination, and to increase access and availability of early intervention services. By investing in early intervention, we can help adolescents to thrive and flourish in their personal and social lives.
References:
: World Health Organization. (2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Adolescent mental health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
: McGorry P.D., Mei C. (2020). Early intervention in youth mental health: progress and future directions. BMJ Mental Health 21(4):182-187. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online-300060
: Colizzi M., Lasalvia A., Ruggeri M. (2020). Prevention and early intervention in youth mental health: is it time for a multidisciplinary and trans-diagnostic model for care? International Journal of Mental Health Systems 14:23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00356-9
: Mental Health America. (n.d.). Prevention and early intervention in mental health. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/prevention-and-early-intervention-mental-health
: Institute for Healthy Living. (2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). The importance of early intervention: mental health and adolescents. https://institute4healthyliving.com/2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online/01/27/adolescence-and-mental-health/
: Orygen. (n.d.). Why invest in youth mental health? https://www.orygen.org.au/About/Why-invest-in-youth-mental-health
