It has been observed that the adolescent population in Sri Lanka is in a vulnerable situation, with a significant number of them facing problems in their lives.
Over the last few months, there has been controversy in the country due to the suicides of several teenage children, and it has been revealed that some of these events are related. Police investigations have confirmed that teenagers are being tempted to harm themselves.
Adults are analysing the situation to find ways to protect teenage children. Additionally, some parents seem to doubt whether their children are adequately protected in these circumstances.
Suicidal ideation in adolescents
There is an increasing tendency for teenagers to experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm. Reports indicate that the incidence of self-harm among teenagers has doubled.
Collaborative psychological research conducted by the medical faculties of Colombo University, Sri Jayewardenepura University, and Kelaniya University has found that mental pressure has led to confusion and abnormal social behaviour among teenage children, ultimately leading to self-destructive tendencies.
Suicidal ideation has doubled
It has been reported that the number of suicide incidents has doubled in the past 3 years. For example, if there were 10 suicide incidents reported 3 years ago, that number has now increased to 20.
The main reason for this increase is the rise in mental pressure among children compared to the past. Having suicidal thoughts due to mental disorders is a very dangerous condition.
It is concerning that such incidents are being reported without much attention, as there are not enough opportunities to prevent loss of life.
This issue is not limited to Sri Lanka; it is a growing trend worldwide. The World Health Organisation has highlighted the serious mental health problems faced by adolescent children.
International organisations have shown that these problems have led to loss of life and, in some cases, harm to others.
A problem that cannot be solved using old methods
The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the disruption of school activities, economic crises, and the widespread use of social media and electronic screens, has contributed to the emergence of mental health issues.
Professor Miyuru Chandradasa, a researcher in child psychology, has highlighted the lack of attention given to mental health problems in countries like Sri Lanka as a factor in this development.
Using outdated methods to address the issues arising in modern society, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka, is inadequate. Merely dismissing these issues and waiting for them to resolve on their own is not viable.
Teenagers rely heavily on social media and electronic screens, making it challenging to address this behaviour.
The pervasive influence of social media has made society susceptible to its impact, with individuals turning to social media to cope with their pressures. However, it has become difficult for adults and society to recognise these calls for help.
In affluent countries, there is an emphasis on finding solutions for mental health problems, but the process itself is not well understood. This is often considered a reflexion of social conditions.
However, such a mindset is not prevalent in Sri Lanka, where there are limited opportunities to acknowledge the existence of mental health issues.
The busyness of parents
The busyness of parents has led to children feeling lonely, prompting them to use mobile phones more often. Studies have shown that this behaviour can significantly impact children’s mental health, leading to increased anxiety and depression.
This issue is not limited to a specific region and is common among teenagers. Other observed effects include a weakened personality, difficulties expressing emotions, lack of resilience, and a preference for making friends on social media over real-life interactions.
