Importance of Youth Well Being

Adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits important for mental well-being. These include adopting healthy sleep patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important.

1. Emotional Disorders-  It is estimated that 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and 4.6% of 15-19 year-olds experience an anxiety disorder. Depression is estimated to occur among 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-14 years, and 2.8% of 15-19-year-olds. Depression and anxiety share some of the same symptoms, including rapid and unexpected changes in mood.

2. Behavioral disorders- Behavioral disorders are more common among younger adolescents than older adolescents. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), characterized by difficulty paying attention, excessive activity and acting without regard to consequences, occurs among 3.1% of 10-14 year-olds and 2.4% of 15-19 year-olds. Conduct disorder (involving symptoms of destructive or challenging behaviour) occurs among 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and 2.4% of 15-19 year-olds. 

3. Eating disorder- Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, commonly emerge during adolescence and young adulthood.Anorexia nervosa can lead to premature death, often due to medical complications or suicide, and has higher mortality than any other mental disorder.

4. Psychosis- Symptoms can include hallucinations or delusions. 

WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has developed a mental health training package for educators for improved understanding of the importance of mental health in the school setting and to guide the implementation of strategies to promote, protect and restore mental health among their students. It includes training manuals and materials to help scale up the number of schools promoting mental health.

References:- //www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

As climate change and complex family patterns upset society, young people around the world face new problems. These issues have an impact on the subjective well-being of youth, with evidence of a deterioration in many nations. While the impact of low well-being on productivity is frequently studied in adults, its impact on youth remains unstudied. The current study looks into the relationship between youth subjective well-being and standardised academic test scores in depth. This study emphasizes the relevance of young well-being, particularly depression reduction, for the health and productivity of the future generation by measuring its impact.

Reference:

Cárdenas, D., Lattimore, F., Steinberg, D. et al. Youth well-being predicts later academic success. Sci Rep 12, 2134 (2022). //doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05780-0

Many benefits related to health, career, family, and income are all related to a sense of well-being. For instance, higher levels of well-being are linked to a lower risk of disease, illness, and injury, as well as improved immune system performance, quicker recovery times, and longer lifespans. High levels of well-being increase productivity at work and increase the likelihood that an individual will give back to their community.
The idea that the positive affect part of well-being has a similar association with extroversion as the negative affect component does with neuroticism is supported by prior research. Additionally, according to this research, pleasant emotions—essential elements of well being—are not just the reverse of negative emotions but also unique aspects of mental health that can and should  be promoted. Given the fact that a sizable percentage of the variation in

Because well-being is subjective, it is typically measured with self-reports. The use of self-reported measures is fundamentally different from using objective measures (e.g., household income, unemployment levels, neighborhood crime) often used to assess well-being. The use of both objective and subjective measures, when available, are desirable for public policy purposes.

There are many well-being instruments available that measure self-reported well-being in different ways, depending on whether one measures well-being as a clinical outcome, a population health outcome, for cost-effectiveness studies, or for other purposes. For example, well-being measures can be psychometrically-based or utility-based. Psychometrically-based measures are based on the relationship between, and strength among, multiple items that are intended to measure one or more domains of well-being. Utility-based measures are based on an individual or group’s preference for a particular state, and are typically anchored between 0 (death) to 1 (optimum health). Some studies support use of single items (e.g., global life satisfaction) to measure well-being parsimoniously. Peer reports, observational methods, physiological methods, experience sampling methods, ecological momentary assessment, and other methods are used by psychologists to measure different aspects of well-being

Reference :

//www.cdc.gov/hrqol/wellbeing.htm#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20higher%20levels%20of,speedier%20recovery%3B%20and%20increased%20longevity.&text=Individuals%20with%20high%20levels%20of,to%20contribute%20to%20their%20communities.

The majority of mental problems first appear during early adolescence, which adds greatly to the burden of mental illness around the globe, especially in India. Early detection of mental health issues, a lack of effective treatments, a shortage of professionals, and inadequate interventions are the main problems in India.

According to a meta-analysis, psychiatric illnesses affect 23.3% of school-aged children and adolescents and 6.5% of the general population. Suicide is the major cause of death in this group, and India has the highest rate of young suicide internationally.

As Population of India bears 20% of adolescents ,the well-being of those age group is of great concern to looking forward to nation's economic growth.

Since its independence , India has achieved significant successes in many health indicators, but very fewer efforts are taken to ensure the intellectual and spiritual well-being of the young population. Country has less  focus on Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH).

In this context, wholistic approach of Indian system of medicine has its significance. The system aims achieving  mental health through nutritional food, proper daily and seasonal routine and balanced spiritual conduct based on the constitution. It could open a new approach of tailored mental health service.

Reference:

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657557/

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8871588/#:~:text=A%20meta%2Danalysis%20reports%20that,in%20this%20population%20%5B12%5D.

//ccras.nic.in/sites/default/files/ebooks/Ayurveda-Based_Dietary_Guidelines_Mental_Disorders.pdf

//www.researchgate.net/publication/328880912_Impact_Factor_10285_164_Prakriti_Based_Evaluation_of_Adolescent_Health_Problems_and_their_Ayurvedic_Management

Although it is a vulnerable phase, adolescence has a lot of potential for healthy development. Understanding the components that contribute to mental well-being at this time period is critical for facilitating healthy development. The body undergoes quick and significant changes during adolescence, and there is a strong emphasis on body appearance and perfection at the societal, media, and peer levels. Positive youth development (PYD) has grown in popularity over the last few decades as an asset- and resource-based approach to understanding youth's development through adolescence. The theoretical and empirical discipline of positive youth development (PYD) has significantly contributed to rebalancing the attention and understanding on the adolescent years as a period of tremendous potential for positive growth, thriving, and well-being.

There are 5 domains of adolescent well-being:

AGENCY AND RESILIENCE

Adolescent well-being is dependent on agency and resilience. Agency is defined as the ability to make choices and the power to act on those decisions, which is critical for the well-being of adolescents since it plays a critical role in building their resilience. Adolescents will be unable to adjust to changes or disturbances that endanger their stability and well-being if they lack resilience. Self-identity is the foundation for agency and resilience, as well as sentiments of self-worth and importance.

COMMUNITY AND CONNECTEDNESS

Adolescent well-being is dependent on feeling connected and contributing to society. A supportive social network of parents, classmates, and teachers can promote teenage mental and behavioural health while also providing long-term advantages. Volunteering in community concerns provides a sense of purpose and meaning that can last a lifetime.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Education, health, and well-being are inextricably linked, and preparation for higher education and a profession are critical developmental milestones for teenagers. Education, learning opportunities, and skill development assist teenagers in making a smooth transition into adulthood. Quality education prepares students for future employment, gives them more agency, allows them to live longer productive lives, increases productivity, and ultimately improves their well-being.

SAFETY AND SUPPORT

It is critical to create a secure and supportive environment that protects adolescents from physical damage and promotes equality and non-discrimination in order to facilitate healthy growth into adulthood. This includes providing physical and psychological safety for teenagers as well as protecting them from all sorts of violence, abuse, exploitation, and injury.

GOOD HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Climate change, globalization, urbanization, and dietary changes can all have an impact on the health and nutrition of adolescents and kids. This frequently leads in a "triple burden of malnutrition," in which adolescents are undernourished, deficient in key nutrients, or overweight. To address the health and nutrition of teenagers, policies and interventions should address concerns such as road traffic injuries, restricted access to clean water, poor sanitation facilities, and substance addiction.

References:

//www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696198/full

//www.1point8b.org/ahwb-framework

The importance of youth being actively involved in society cannot be overstated. Here are several reasons why it is crucial for young people to participate and engage in various aspects of society:

1. Fresh perspectives: Youth bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and creative solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. They often think outside the box and can offer new approaches that can lead to positive change.

2. Social progress: Active youth participation contributes to social progress and the development of inclusive societies. When young people engage in issues like social justice, equality, and human rights, they can help shape a more equitable and fair world for everyone.

3. Civic engagement: Encouraging youth to be actively involved in their communities fosters a sense of civic responsibility and empowers them to become informed and engaged citizens. It helps them develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

4. Policy influence: Youth engagement allows young people to have a say in decision-making processes that affect their lives. By participating in local, national, and international platforms, they can influence policies, laws, and regulations that impact their generation and future generations.

5. Sustainable development: Youth involvement is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. Young people are passionate about environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability. By actively participating in initiatives related to these areas, they can contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient future.

6. Empowerment and self-confidence: Youth engagement provides young individuals with opportunities to develop self-confidence, gain valuable experience, and cultivate essential skills that can positively impact their personal and professional lives. It enables them to realize their potential and become active agents of change.

7. Intergenerational learning: When youth actively engage with older generations, there is an exchange of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. This intergenerational learning fosters mutual understanding, respect, and the preservation of valuable traditions while embracing new ideas and approaches.

8. Networking and collaboration: Youth engagement creates platforms for young people to connect, collaborate, and build networks with like-minded individuals. These networks provide opportunities for learning, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas, leading to personal growth and professional development.

Overall, the active involvement of youth in society is crucial for creating a more inclusive, progressive, and sustainable world. Their energy, enthusiasm, and unique perspectives have the power to shape a better future for themselves and generations to come.

Adolescence is a vulnerable period which has high potential for healthy development.

It is important to understand the factors that contribute to mental well-being in this period as it helps them to grow into better individuals. During the adolescence period the body goes through rapid and considerable changes, and the focus on body appearance and perfection is substantial at societal, media, and peer level.

Well-being is defined as ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy'. A huge number of factors have been shown to be associated with adolescent well-being.

They are cognitive and relational factors such as bullying, family structure and relationships, peer support and school connectedness. Other behaviours also influence well-being, including substance use (alcohol, drugs and smoking habits), fruit and vegetable consumption, breakfast consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, sedentary lifestyle and leisure time activities.Higher levels of well-being are linked to a lower risk of disease, illness, and injury, a stronger immune system, a quicker recovery time, and a longer lifespan.High levels of well-being also increase productivity at work and increase the likelihood that an individual will give back to their community.

References

1. //www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696198/full

2. //bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000335

3. //www.cdc.gov/hrqol/wellbeing.htm#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20higher%20levels%20of,speedier%20recovery%3B%20and%20increased%20longevity.&text=Individuals%20with%20high%20levels%20of,to%20contribute%20to%20their%20communities.

Wellbeing is important since it allows us to feel emotions like happiness, contentment, curiosity, satisfaction – all of which help us function well in the world and lead our lives to their fullest. Wellbeing also plays a role in supporting our mental health, by giving us a greater ability to manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This helps us to maintain good relationships, set and achieve goals, and find meaning and purpose in our endeavours.

There are many determinants to juvenile well-being and mental health. Violence, exclusion, living in sub-humanitarian and fragile settings can add to one’s probability of developing mental health problems. Failure to address these would mean an invite to mental health consequences that last into adulthood, affecting physical and psychological health and restricting opportunities to live fulfilling lives as grown-ups.

Young people’s good mental health is as important as their good physical health if they are to develop into independent and confident adults. Good mental health is an essential part of healthy adolescent development; it helps young people build positive social, emotional, thinking and communication skills and behaviours. It also lays the foundation for better mental health and wellbeing later in life.

Reference: //cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/youth-mental-health/

//parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/wellbeing-and-teenagers

//www.gigadocs.com/blog/youth-and-the-importance-of-physical-and-mental-health/

YOUTH AND WELLBEING

Wellbeing can be defined as a state of happiness and contentment, with low levels of distress, overall good physical and mental health and outlook, or good quality of life. ( //dictionary.apa.org/well-being)

This age group comprises early to late adolescence and youth which forms nearly 30% (∼373 million) of India’s total population (Office of the Registrar General Census Commissioner, India, 2011). Considering their significant contribution to the population of the country and its future economic growth, their health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to the various stakeholders including policymakers and educationists.

According to the Global Youth Wellbeing Index, India is the lowest ranked country (Rank 26)   in the Asia-Pacific region and the second to last country in the lower middle income bracket, followed only by Nigeria. India had a low youth well-being index of 0.52. This well-being index score comprises 7 domains and 35 indicators to describe youth well-being.

//www.youthpolicy.org/library/documents/the-global-youth-wellbeing-index/

 Several studies have shown that wellbeing-related behavioral patterns established during an individual’s early adolescence continue through adulthood and later life impacting their physical and mental health (Currie et al., 2009; Patton et al., 2011).

 Adolescents are especially prone to environmental influences (by peers, family, and society), which act as determining factors of their wellbeing - related behaviors (Sawyer et al.,2012).

In the Indian cultural context, a recent growing body of qualitative research has been conducted exploring the sociocultural meaning of subjective wellbeing and happiness among children (Exenberger et al., 2019), among at-risk youth with traumatic life experiences (Exenberger and Reiber, 2020), and college students (Singh and Bandyopadhyay, 2022). 

REFERENCES

( //dictionary.apa.org/well-being )

//www.youthpolicy.org/library/documents/the-global-youth-wellbeing-index/

(Currie et al., 2009; Patton et al., 2011).

(Sawyer et al., 2012).

(Exenberger and Reiber, 2020)

(Singh and Bandyopadhyay, 2022).

The World Health Organisation defines mental wellbeing as ‘a state in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.’ It reflects a state in which someone is healthy, happy and prosperous. A strong sense of wellbeing helps us to feel good about ourselves and the way our lives are going, and can have a hugely positive impact on teen mental health.Wellbeing is important since it allows us to feel emotions like happiness, contentment, curiosity, satisfaction – all of which help us function well in the world and lead our lives to their fullest. Wellbeing also plays a role in supporting our mental health, by giving us a greater ability to manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This helps us to maintain good relationships, set and achieve goals, and find meaning and purpose in our endeavours.
The interesting thing about wellbeing is that it can have an upward spiral effect. If you do something that increases your wellbeing, it’s likely to make you feel good, which is turn will help give you the motivation to do something else that to improve your wellbeing and make you feel good.

Ref:

//parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/wellbeing-and-teenagers.

Although a vulnerable period, adolescence is a time of great potential for healthy development. Understanding factors that contribute to mental well-being in this period is of great importance to facilitate for healthy development. During the adolescence period the body goes through rapid and considerable changes, and the focus on body appearance and perfection is substantial at societal, media, and peer level.
The World Health Organisation defines mental wellbeing as ‘a state in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.’
Wellbeing is important since it allows to feel emotions like happiness, contentment, curiosity, satisfaction – all of which help us function well in the world and lead our lives to their fullest. Wellbeing also plays a role in supporting our mental health, by giving us a greater ability to manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
High levels of wellbeing in teenagers can help them flourish in life, as well as act as a protective factor against some of the challenges that may arise during the teenage years.
Teenagers with strong mental wellbeing are able to: manage their emotions, enjoy positive relationships with friends and family, apply themselves at school, participate in activities that interest them and have optimism about the future.
Reference:
1. //www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696198/full
2. //education.nsw.gov.au

Youth well-being is a critical aspect of society as it directly impacts the overall development and future of individuals and communities. The well-being of young people encompasses various dimensions, including physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of youth well-being:

1. Holistic Development: Youth well-being is crucial for the holistic development of individuals. It lays the foundation for healthy physical growth, cognitive abilities, emotional resilience, and social skills. By prioritizing and promoting the well-being of young people, we can help them reach their full potential, leading to positive outcomes in education, career, and personal relationships.

2. Mental Health and Emotional Resilience: Youth face unique challenges and stressors during their transition to adulthood. Promoting youth well-being involves addressing mental health concerns and building emotional resilience. By providing support, creating safe environments, and offering resources for mental health care, we can help young people navigate challenges, cope with stress, and build positive mental well-being.

3. Prevention of Risky Behaviors: Investing in youth well-being contributes to the prevention of risky behaviors and negative outcomes. When young people are supported and provided with opportunities for healthy engagement, they are less likely to engage in substance abuse, violence, unsafe sexual behaviors, and other risky activities. Promoting positive well-being helps create a protective environment that reduces the likelihood of engaging in harmful behaviors.

4. Societal Impact and Future Prosperity: Youth well-being has a direct impact on the prosperity and well-being of societies as a whole. Young people are the future leaders, innovators, and contributors to society. By nurturing their well-being, we are investing in a healthy and productive future workforce, fostering social cohesion, and building resilient communities. Supporting youth well-being leads to positive societal outcomes, including economic growth, reduced healthcare costs, and overall societal well-being.

References:

1. United Nations. (2019). World Youth Report: Youth Social Entrepreneurship and the 2030 Agenda. Retrieved from //www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report-2019.html

2. World Health Organization. (2017). Promoting the Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People: Review of Implementation of the Strategies and Actions for Adolescent Health in the South-East Asia Region. Retrieved from //apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/254412

3. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth. Retrieved from //www.nap.edu/read/25388/chapter/1

4. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2021). The State of the World's Children 2021: Investing in the Future. Retrieved from //www.unicef.org/reports/state-of-worlds-children-2021