Dimapur, April 27 (EMN): Lovika P Shikhu, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Nagaland University while speaking at the awareness programme on “Adolescents and mental health,” mentioned that according to World Health Organisation (WHO), 20 percent of teens by the age of 18 suffer from depressive episodes and mood disorders which accounts for majority of adolescents suicides and is the third leading cause of death in adolescents.
He said manifestations of depression in adolescents such as withdrawal from social activities, irritability, low self-esteem, frequent somatic complains and tearfulness often remains unrecognized and untreated in our society due to social stigma and parents lacking awareness about the disorders which calls for changing our attitude and mind-set in recognizing.
Lovika also highlighted the importance of understanding individual differences in intelligence and abilities and stressed on positive youth development in the context of mental well-being.
The awareness programme was organised by Department of Psychology, Nagaland University in collaboration with Model Higher Secondary School, A G Colony, Kohima on April 27 as part of community outreach programme of the department.
In an interaction session various issues were facilitated by Temsusenla Jamir, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Nagaland University.
Addiction disorder in terms of digital/internet addiction was also discussed wherein long term addiction habits can result in psychological related problems such as insomnia, irritability, depression and disinterest in academic studies.
