Adolescent mental health burden determinants and service gaps in Assam, India

The increasing trend of mental illnesses among adolescents has become one of the most prominent concerns in public health globally and in developing countries. The culturally and socio-economically distinct region of Assam in Northeast India provides an interesting scenario regarding mental well-being among adolescents across various dimensions. This review discusses empirical studies conducted in Assam to review mental health in adolescents in relation to prevalence, magnitude, socio-structural factors, high-risk groups, and innovative approaches in the region. There seems to be an increasing trend of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, behavior problems, and psychosocial disturbances in adolescents, particularly in rural areas, tea tribe communities, orphans, and students in government schools in Assam. Clearly, academic pressure, economic conditions, overuse of technology, family factors, parenting practices, and community-level constraints appear to have considerable impact on mental health. Although there are policy frameworks such as National Mental Health Programme in place, there seems to be no adolescent-specific mental health services in this region.