Mental health continues to be an awkward and avoided topic in Sri Lanka’s public discourse and at the policymaking level. Reports of youth, especially school-age teenagers, attempting self-harm or attempting to take their own life keep drawing spotlight back into this phenomenon which culturally many Sri Lankan communities find unpalatable.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) had recently told The Sunday Morning that it has received over 78,000 phone calls last year via a hotline set up to assist those seeking help on mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and drug abuse, among other concerns. The scale of this situation is indicative of the tip of the iceberg in a context where many find it difficult to discuss their problems. According to the NIMH, adolescents and youth prefer to communicate their issues via text-based mobile phone applications such as WhatsApp. Regardless of the preferred mode of communication and the concerning nature of the situation, it is heartening to learn that nearly 5,000 youth have registered with the institute seeking assistance including to deal with addiction. Psychiatrists at the NIMH have stressed that continuing communication, building trust and empathy, and being available for those seeking assistance are key to assisting youth to deal with their mental health issues and concerns.
When it comes to addressing the wider issues of mental health in the community, educators and psychologists have long observed that some of the issues faced by adolescents and youth stem from academic issues exacerbated by economic issues at home. At the same time, relationship-related issues often start at that age. The economic crisis and also the Covid-19 pandemic, both of which dealt a heavy blow to the education system, mental health, and household economies, undoubtedly exacerbated these issues. These national-level crises’ impacts on adolescents and youth extended to disrupted recreational activities and social interactions as well, which also contributed to worsen mental health. To effectively address these concerns, it is crucial to take into account these factors as well.
Recent studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have pointed out that psychological issues among youth have increased by around 40% globally in the post-pandemic context. According to some local experts, many youth worry about finding employment. It is also noteworthy that there is a new trend of social anxiety triggered by the excessive use of social media platforms, which is mirrored globally as well as in Sri Lanka. Educators and psychologists point out that Sri Lanka’s education system fails to address emotional and psychological aspects of school-age children, while the existing outdated exam-oriented approach is increasing parental expectations and academic stress which in turn significantly affect children's mental health and productivity.
The longstanding issue of bullying, which has become a menace contributing to depression and trauma, must also receive attention. In Sri Lanka, ragging, which is a form of bullying, continues despite legal and other interventions against it. In this context, if we are to address mental health issues among youth, the despicable culture of bullying including ragging in Sri Lanka’s education system should come to an end. It has already caused enough trauma and reinforced mental health challenges faced by youth. Many have called for the school and higher education systems to be equipped with qualified counselors, knowledge regarding mental health, and attitudes about compassion. To achieve this, awareness raising programmes are crucial, especially to empower adolescents and youth to manage mental health-related concerns, or at the very least to seek assistance from friendly, trustworthy and capable parties.
Addressing mental health challenges among Sri Lanka’s youth is crucial for the nation’s future, especially in a context where the country is trying to revive its economy and society following the economic crisis. Creating a supportive environment for mental wellbeing is key. Addressing these needs today is crucial to protect tomorrow.