Early Detection of Mental Health Disorders in School-Going Adolescents in Palmira, Valle

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that adolescence is a crucial period for the development of social and emotional habits important for mental well-being, such as adopting healthy sleep patterns, exercising regularly, developing skills to maintain interpersonal relationships, coping with difficult situations, problem-solving, and learning to manage emotions. Additionally, the WHO highlights that for many, adolescence is an exciting time but can also be a source of stress. In some cases, if these feelings are not recognized and managed, they can pose a risk for mental illnesses, with approximately 1 in 7 young people aged 10 to 19 experiencing a mental disorder. This type of disorder accounts for 13% of the global burden of disease within that age group, where depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability.

Furthermore, half of all mental disorders begin by age 14 or earlier, yet in most cases, they go undetected and untreated, making suicide the third leading cause of death among young people.