95% Of Youth In Assam Have Some Form Of Mental Health Problem: UNICEF
A survey conducted by UNICEF and the National Service Scheme (NSS) revealed that an estimated 95 per cent of youth in Assam have some form of mental health problem.
Currently, 19 per cent of Assam's 3.1 crore population (Census 2011) is in the age group of 15-24 years. It has been said in the report that about 60 percent of the youth involved in the survey told that this has affected their social relations. 24 per cent reported complaints of stress, anxiety and fear and 17 per cent reported physical injury.
According to the research, 35 per cent of the youth reported physical assault at home, 25 per cent at school, 14 per cent at private tuitions and playgrounds. The most common form of punishment was hitting or slapping the hand, arm or leg (67 per cent), followed by shouting or cursing (16 per cent). But the youth are not aware of the solutions to these problems.
The U-Report poll launched in July this year was developed to support the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) campaign called Abhiyan Suraksha, which aims to create public awareness on the forms and redressal mechanisms of violence against children. have to increase. U-Report is a social platform created by UNICEF, available via SMS, Facebook and Twitter, where young people express their views.
Social isolation, feelings of powerlessness, anxiety, depression and loneliness have become common. The victim often believes that it is his fault that his mental health is deteriorating. It is important that the victim should report the matter to his immediate family.
Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of UNICEF Assam said, that the emphasis is on creating a conducive environment for the youth to grow and flourish. In 2020-21, the NSS Directorate for the North Eastern Region and UNICEF Assam have entered into a national partnership between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and UNICEF India, in which all the eight states of the North East have come together on a single platform to work on the issue of child protection.
