Violence and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health

V stands for Violence for #BlogchatterA2Z– Violence and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health. The World Health Organization describes violence as, “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or deprivation.” Adding “power” broadens our understanding of violence. It includes not only physical acts but also threats and bullying.

Child Labour

Child labour survivors are vulnerable to external harm and emotional abuse. Mental health problems occur, particularly after emotional abuse. Routine mental health checking is required, incorporating addressing childhood trauma. There is a need to better the bad effects of child labour and improve mental health.

Suicide/self-harm is a leading cause of death for adolescent girls and boys worldwide. Family violence adds to the increase in the risk of teenage suicidality, self-harm, and depression. This study looks for a link between family violence, suicidal thoughts, and depression among Indian teenagers. This study is the first to examine the role of family violence in suicidality and depression among Indian adolescents.

Violence and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health

Child abuse has adverse effects and may continue into adulthood and old age. This can cause mental health issues; anxiety, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and phobias. Any treatment does not yield the expected response from them.

There is no data available that is specifically based on the mental health of child workers.

Reasons for Violence and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health

Poverty is the primary reason for child labour in India. Parents send their children to work to augment family income or to repay debt. Parents do not send these kids to school as they cannot afford to.
There is a large number of children who may be victims of abuse in their field of work.
Similar to street children, these kids are targets of abuse inside and outside the family. They face abandonment and miss out on chances of leading a normal childhood.
Additional reasons could be addiction, diseases, infirmity and the financial condition of parents. Child labour is against the law in India, but still there is illegal employment.
When there is violence in the family, kids are more likely to hurt themselves or feel depressed.
Gender-based violence occurs more in places with inequality in finances, education, religion, and housing. Kids feel as if it is the norm or a punishment.
Many parents in India still think it’s okay to hit their kids when they do something wrong. Husbands hitting their wives is common too.
Girls in India get married early, and this makes them more likely to be abused by their husbands.

Reasons for Mental Health Issues in Adolescents

Suicide and self-harm are a major reason for suicide amongst young girls and boys all around the world.
Recent evidence on adolescent mortality studies cites self-harm as the second leading cause of death for girls. And the third leading cause of death for boys, worldwide.
We have the largest adolescent population, but very little data on teen suicide and self-harm. This is crucial for tackling mental health discrepancies.
Studies state show that an increasing number of Indian teenagers are engaging in self-harm or contemplating it. They go through depression because of family fights.
Women feel depressed or harm themselves when they are victims of marital violence. Little or no research is available about abused married minor girls in India.
Many teenagers living away from their parents are working without protection and go through abuse.
Adolescents who have been victims of child abuse will have more mental health problems compared to those who are not.
Mental health is vital for leading a healthy and happy life. We need to be healthy and have good mental health when we’re kids and teenagers.
A lot of young people are having mental health problems all around the world.
Most mental health problems start before we are 25 years old, usually between 11 and 18 years old.

Hence, intervention in adolescents’ mental health pays a triple bonus; improving their present health, to better their future and to the mental health of future generations.

Reasons For Lack of Proper Mental Health Help

Mental health interventions are scarce in India.
In India, there aren’t many programs to help teenagers with their mental health, both in schools and outside.
Teenagers’ reluctance to discuss mental health hampers school programs. And there aren’t enough trained people to help.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, teenagers had stress because their parents were anxious. Their routines were upset. Violence escalated within the household. They couldn’t meet their friends or pursue their interests.
It is time to break the stigma, talk openly about mental health, and stem the violence before it blows up. We need to find simple ways to keep teenagers safe.
Adolescent health programs in India need interventions to prevent suicides, self-harm, and depression.
These interventions should focus on improving parent-child relationships.
They should aim to reduce teen marriages and prevent domestic violence.