Adolescent Mental Health

Question 1

Outline the biopsychosocial model of adolescent mental heatlh

Answer 1

• During adolescence, response to stressors can influence brain development and set positive or negative behavioural patterns that can last for years/decades to come
• Navigating these challenges whilst grappling with increased autonomy and underdeveloped self-regulation/reasoning can be challenging
• The biopsychosocial model acknowledges the importance of biological factors in this maturation process, but also the role of psychosocial support systems

Question 2

What are the common mental health challenges faced by adolescents?

Answer 2

• Depression/anxiety
• Substance use disorder
• Self-harm
• Suicide
• Eating disorders

Question 3

How can mental health problems present in adolescents?

Answer 3

• Decreased memory/focus/school performance
• Decreased function
  -Emotional instability
• Refusal to attend school (Ruby)
• Withdrawal
• Poor sleep
• Hopelessness
• Dramatically increased impulsiveness

Question 4

What environmental factors can affect adolescent mental health, including between countries?

Answer 4

• Working ages
• Access to education, contraceptives
• Criminal cutoff age
• Age of consent for sex/marriage
• Exposure to violence/weapons/criminals

Question 5

What risk-taking behaviours can emerge during adolescence

Answer 5

• Smoking/alcohol consumption
• Unprotected sex
• Risk of injury
• Illicit drug use
• Violence

Question 6

What preventable health problems should be screened for and/or counseled on during adolescence?

Answer 6

• Sun protection
• Obesity
• Poor oral health
• Vaccine-preventable disease
• Poor sleep patterns (esp w/ social media)
• Mental health problems (how can these present in adolescents?)
• Don’t smoke