Study on Mental health status among Urban Adolescents

The current study was undertaken to assess the mental health status among urban adolescents. A total of 40 adolescents (20 females and 20 males) in the age group of 18- 21 years were selected as sample by using random sampling method. A standardized tool, Mental health assessment inventory developed by Jagadish and Srivastava (1995) was used to assess the mental health. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. The study was conducted at College of Community Science, Hyderabad, Telangana and Vaishnavi Degree College, Kurnool, Andra Pradesh. The results indicated that majority (68%) of the adolescents had average levels of mental health, while 18% had poor levels of Mental Health and only few (11%) reported good mental health status and it is also important to note that 3% of adolescents had very poor levels of mental health and none of the adolescents reported very good mental health status. It was also found that female adolescents reported better mental health status than male adolescents. Adolescents from joint families reported better mental health status than nuclear and extended families. Socio Economic Status had significant positive relationship with mental health status of adolescents at 1 % level. The study suggests that early detection and screening of mental health problems among adolescents is essential and addressing mental health issues by planning suitable intervention programmes to enhance mental wellbeing and quality of life among adolescents is imperative.