Youth mental health: an insight into the reasons for young people’s requests for psychological support through the lens of the ecological model

During adolescence, young people substantially expand their life contexts, which on the one hand can strengthen their skills but on the other hand increases their vulnerabilities. In this sense, adolescents and young adults are a strategic target for mental health prevention and promotion programs, which must include not only young people, but their ecosystem as well. This study is part of device 1.2., Youth Health Offices of the Cuida-te + Program of the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, I.P., which aims to promote the health and lifestyles of young people aged 12 to 25. The present study aims to identify the reasons for requesting a consultation from the perspective of an ecological model and evaluate the effect of the intervention in terms of psychological health. Therefore, the information collected in the first and last psychological consultation was used, including all consultations carried out by 21 psychologists in their professional internship over the course of 12 months. It was found that mental health problems, interpersonal difficulties related to interpersonal management and self-management were the young people’s most cited reasons. In terms of the effectiveness of the intervention carried out, it was found that the perception of quality of life (i.e. general, physical, psychological, social and environmental) and well-being of young people increased significantly after the intervention and the depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as stress levels, have been significantly reduced. These results are relevant for professionals and policy makers, reinforcing the importance of organizing effective and efficient support services targeted at specific populations and consolidating this type of services in terms of local and national responses.