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If some teenager says: I want to
kill myself, it should be taken very
seriously
UAE schools should monitor
students mental health
Counselling helpline could
benefit depressed youngsters
Louis Smith Foundation: in
memory of a loved son and UAE
resident
Exam pressure can lead to mental
illness if neglected, experts warn
UAE pupils
Typical factors that contribute to the development of mental health issues, which can
emerge in those as young as 13, include social pressures, body-image concerns,
family discord and academic stress.
More needs to be done to help teenagers suffering with mental health issues, Dr
Sihweil said.
People dont recognise the necessity for long-term care and consistent school
programmes. Too often, families give up and hope that their children will get better,
she said.
According to the WHO, half of all mental health disorders in adulthood appear to start
by 14. But most cases are undetected and untreated.
Without early intervention, childhood depression damages in the long term, said Dr
Sihweil.
Maya Sidani, a clinical psychologist at Al Noor Hospitals Airport Road branch in Abu Dhabi, said more and more teens are at risk
of mental disorders because of several factors.
This includes being away from home, with less family support, Ms Sidani said. There is less interaction with parents due to job
demands, which gives less time for children to express themselves.
Inactive lifestyles can also lead to depression, said the Lebanese expatriate.
We should pay attention to the mental health of adolescents because it is a sensitive phase in the life of the individual where the
identity starts shaping, so any disorder during this phase might lead to significant damage.
Adelaide Robb, a specialist at a paediatric centre funded by the Abu Dhabi Government, said not enough attention was paid to
adolescents mental health until there was a crisis.
Parents and primary care physicians can, at times, think mood swings are a normal part of adolescence and discount early
symptoms of a mood, anxiety or eating disorder in a teenager, said Dr Robb, a professor in psychiatry and paediatrics at the
Childrens National Medical Centre in Washington.
Early action is crucial because we want to intervene before a mood or anxiety disorder becomes chronic and raises the risk for
suicide, co-morbid substance abuse or dropping out of school.
Children with any psychiatric disorder, if left untreated, are more likely to quit school, enter the criminal justice system, abuse
drugs and alcohol, lose jobs and [in some cases] commit suicide.
jbell@thenational.ae