Empowering Adolescents and Communities: Integrating Mental Health Awareness and Destigmatisation into Curriculum and Building a Foundation for Life
Adolescents; inclusive; mental health curriculum; romanticization of mental health
Adolescence, a critical period of growth, has seen an increase in mental health issues. Despite some successes in government initiatives, stigma continues to hinder help?seeking. To address this, programs should focus on anti?stigma efforts and emerging needs. A comprehensive mental health curriculum can help normalize discussions, reduce stigma, and encourage help?seeking. However, overcoming challenges such as time constraints, parental resistance, and a shortage of trained educators is essential. Organizing awareness events and sharing recovery stories can help combat stigma. Although social media has its drawbacks, it offers accessible and anonymous outreach. A concerning trend is the romanticization of mental health, which can trivialize real struggles and potentially lead adolescents to pretend mental illness for attention. A two?tiered solution is necessary to address this issue, involving certified educators, first?aid responders, and curriculum integration. This system allows professionals to focus on prevention and promotion while specialists handle diagnosis and treatment, ultimately fostering a long?term, inclusive, and mentally healthy society. 2025 Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry.
Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry;Volume;41;Issue;4;pp.439-444
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijsp.ijsp_175_24 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026265855?origin=resultslist
Manjari A.S., Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bengaluru, India, Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, Christ (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Sudhesh N.T., Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, Christ (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bengaluru, India