Mental Health and Adolescents
, Mental health definitions
Mental health is... “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and
is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (WHO, 2004)
“Mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium which enables individuals to use
their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills;
ability to recognize, express and modulate one's own emotions, as well as empathize with
others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse life events and function in social roles; and
harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of
mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium.”
(Galderisi et al., 2015)
Mental health as a continuum
Mental health is best conceptualised as a continuum of human experience, both for young
people and adults (Dogra et al. 2009). At one end of the spectrum is complete mental health
and wellbeing; at the other is severe mental “disorder”.
Adolescents and mental health
NHS Mental Health of Children and Young People in England Survey (2018)
One in eight (12.8%) 5 to 19 year olds had at least one mental disorder when
assessed in 2017
Emotional disorders were the most prevalent type of disorder experienced by 5 to
19 year olds in 2017 (8.1%)
Rates of mental disorders increased with age
The prevalence of mental disorders between 5-15 years old has been slightly
increasing over time (9.7% in 1999, 10.1% in 2004, to 11.2% in 2017)
NHS follow-up in 2020 focussing on the pandemic
One in six (16.0%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable
mental disorder
Among 11 to 16 year old girls, 63.8% with a probable mental disorder had seen or
heard an argument among adults in the household, compared with 46.8% of those
unlikely to have a mental disorder
, Mental health definitions
Mental health is... “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and
is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (WHO, 2004)
“Mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium which enables individuals to use
their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills;
ability to recognize, express and modulate one's own emotions, as well as empathize with
others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse life events and function in social roles; and
harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of
mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium.”
(Galderisi et al., 2015)
Mental health as a continuum
Mental health is best conceptualised as a continuum of human experience, both for young
people and adults (Dogra et al. 2009). At one end of the spectrum is complete mental health
and wellbeing; at the other is severe mental “disorder”.
Adolescents and mental health
NHS Mental Health of Children and Young People in England Survey (2018)
One in eight (12.8%) 5 to 19 year olds had at least one mental disorder when
assessed in 2017
Emotional disorders were the most prevalent type of disorder experienced by 5 to
19 year olds in 2017 (8.1%)
Rates of mental disorders increased with age
The prevalence of mental disorders between 5-15 years old has been slightly
increasing over time (9.7% in 1999, 10.1% in 2004, to 11.2% in 2017)
NHS follow-up in 2020 focussing on the pandemic
One in six (16.0%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable
mental disorder
Among 11 to 16 year old girls, 63.8% with a probable mental disorder had seen or
heard an argument among adults in the household, compared with 46.8% of those
unlikely to have a mental disorder
