Global Adolescent Mental Health

Globally, population mental health has been raised as an important concern, with adolescence acknowledged as a critical period for the prevention, promotion, and development of positive mental health behaviors and attitudes. Adolescent mental health is now fully recognized worldwide, and countries are implementing programs to address mental health issues, where, in some places, the mere idea of mental illness has been culturally eschewed. At the same time, a shift of focus to both individual and population well-being has been supported by research and is gaining traction. However, lack of resources remains a major challenge for sustained, comprehensive mental health programming in many countries forcing prevention and enhanced well-being to the side for now. The evidence seems clear that, for adolescents, supportive and nurturing school-based educational programming should address conflict resolution, affect management, relationship building, and goal setting for enhancing positive cognitive, behavioral, and emotional outcomes.