Addressing mental health challenges among adolescents in Himachal Pradesh: evaluating the impact of adolescent friendly health clinics

Background: Mental disorders are one of the most prevalent health concerns faced by adolescents today. A good mental health cultivates a sense of purpose and fulfilment among the adolescents. To ensure this, the government of Himachal Pradesh has started implementation of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics in the state. Methods: Data from Nayi Disha Kendras (NDK) reports on National Health Mission website which has consolidated the adolescent outpatient department data, was used. This data details the mental health services extended to adolescent girls and boys across multiple Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (called Nayi Disha Kendras in the state) situated in various districts of Himachal Pradesh. This data set spans a period of three years, from January 2021 to December 2023. Results: Approximately, around 11,000 adolescents from the state of Himachal Pradesh, stress accounted for a high of 53% among the adolescents, followed by those with other mental health conditions (14%), depression (14%) and suicide thoughts (5%). Conclusions: Just as we attend to our physical health, nurturing our mental health demands proactive attention and care. Embracing practices of self-care, seeking support from loved ones and accessing professional assistance when necessary are crucial steps in safeguarding our mental well-being.