famous According to a study published in the scientific journal “The Lancet Psychiatry”, 75% of Australian adolescents suffer from anxiety and depression. 64% of adults aged 10-18 have experienced poor mental health more than three times. This study was carried out by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, a well-known children’s research institute. It is also written in the study that in these cases it is necessary to develop a strategy of prevention rather than clinical care.
According to a study published in the “Indian Journal of Psychiatry” in 2019, more than 5 million children in India suffered from mental health problems. Most of these children suffered from anxiety and depression. According to UNICEF, these figures would have increased much more than before after the Corona epidemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 30 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety and 28 million people face depression. Currently, this problem is very common among adolescents and young people.
That’s why today in “Sehatnama” we will talk about depression and anxiety. You will also learn that-
How can we identify someone’s anxiety or depression? How does it relate to fast food, sugary drinks and social media? What changes can make anxiety and depression go away?
There is a strong need for preventive measures
According to Professor Susan Sawyer of the Murdock Children’s Research Institute, this study on adolescent mental health points to a big problem.
Emotional and behavioral changes occur
Depression and anxiety become a serious mental health problem during adolescence. Because of this, the way children think, feel and behave changes. If a little attention is paid, the problem of adolescent anxiety or depression can be identified. By discovering this, they can be helped.
Changes occur in behavior
If a person suffers from anxiety or depression, its effects begin to show in their behavior. We can help them by identifying them. Check the chart to see what types of changes are occurring:
What are the main causes of anxiety and depression in adolescents?
Dr. Satyakant Trivedi says that many hormonal and physical changes occur in boys and girls during adolescence. At the same time, they also have to go through the pressure of board exams and the hustle and bustle of selecting courses for their career. If they do not have the right environment at home and at school, these pressures turn into anxiety and depression. These reasons have become a topic of discussion on television and in newspapers so often that most people have become aware of them.
However, there are many reasons that people don’t pay attention to. Fast food, sugary drinks and social media, which have become part of our daily habits, also cause anxiety and depression. let’s look.
Bad eating habits affect
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2024, consumption of junk food, ultra-processed foods, and fast food significantly increases the risk of anxiety and depression. Adults are most at risk because they are the biggest consumers of fast food and ultra-processed foods.
Risk of depression increases due to excessive consumption of sugary drinks
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022, consumption of sugar or sugary drinks is becoming a major cause of poor mental health in adolescents. Any drinks available in the name of energy drinks or cold drinks can cause anxiety and depression.
Depression increases due to screen time and social media
According to a study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in 2023, adolescents who spent more than 7 hours a day in front of screens were more than twice as likely to suffer from depression than other adolescents. It has also been found that if a person spends an hour a day on social media, symptoms of depression increase by 40% each year.
Depression increases due to not being active
According to a study published in BMC Medicine in 2010, boys and girls do not participate in any type of sports or physical activity. They are more likely to suffer from depression. It was also found that by doing 1 hour of exercise every day or doing physical activities, the risk of depression or anxiety was reduced by 95%.
Small changes will have a big impact
Dr Satyakant Trivedi says anxiety and depression are major mental health issues. We are therefore looking for solutions to deal with them. Whereas sometimes even very small changes can solve big problems. It is true that there is no sure way to prevent mental health problems. Despite this, there are steps we can take. It doesn’t take much effort. For this, very small changes must be made to the lifestyle by developing a strategy:
1. Pay attention to the child’s diet and daily routine. Explain to them the benefits of a healthy and balanced diet and motivate them to follow it regularly.
2. Wake up in the morning and go for a walk or jog with the kids. After that, give them the opportunity to play outdoor games for some time in the evening.
3. Quality sleep is very important for good mental health. To do this, make sure that the child gets enough sleep for 7 hours a day.
4. We cannot keep teenagers away from screens and social media. Teach them how to use the Internet and social media. Get into the habit of setting a time for its use.
5. Never overburden your children with your expectations. Monitor their performance. After that, identify their weaknesses and strengths and help them strategically.
6. Provide your child with such an environment that he does not hesitate to share his feelings with friends and family.
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A new study from the University of Bath in England shows that if physical activity is practiced mindfully, it is very beneficial for mental health. Additionally, mindfulness is very effective in reducing any type of stress, anxiety or depression and bringing positive change in life. …