What are Main Causes of Mental Illness in Youth

Mental illnesses mostly develop between adolescence and young adulthood. According to a statistics on Mental Illness in teens and youth, 75% of mental health problems begin by the age of 24 and 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness will begin by age 14. This is hugely evident in the statistics that show that 1 in every 6 youth experience a mental health problem. Mental health issues can affect anyone, of any age group. There is not one single cause of mental illness, but rather, a number of risk factors combine to create a mental illness in a person.

During young age, some mental health problems may be provoked or worsened by psychological trauma such as:
● Severe physical, emotional or sexual abuse
● Ignorance
● A major lose in early life such as death of a parent of dear one
In this article we will discuss main causes of mental health issues in youth, symptoms of mental health disorder and mental health disorders in young people.

What are main causes of major mental health issues in youth?
There are several causes of mental illness in youth such as biological, psychological, environmental and socioeconomic factors.

Biological factors
Biological factors contain anything physical which can create effects on mental health. This is not surprising that all human behavior is triggered by the activity of the brain. Thus, we should understand that fear, sadness etc. originate in the brain. In the same way, many mental health issues have been linked to an abnormal balance of chemicals such as neurotransmitters in the brain.  Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that your body needs for proper functioning. These messengers carry chemical signals(messages) from one cell to the next desired cell. When they are out of balance, this causes messages to not be delivered properly, which leads to symptoms of mental illness. There are several other biological factors which also considered as contributing factors to mental health problems such as:

●Genetics (heredity)
Sometimes mental illness runs in families, suggesting that people whose family member has a mental illness may be somewhat more likely to have that mental health problem. This depends on the genes of family members. Some studies show that many mental illnesses are linked to abnormalities in many genes, rather than just one or a few, and also connected to how genes interact with the environment is different for every individual (even identical twins). That is why a person is likely to have a mental illness and doesn’t necessarily get the illness. Mental health issues itself developed from the interaction of multiple genes and other factors such as stress, curse, or a traumatic event which can cause, or trigger, an illness in a person who has received likeliness to have it.

●Infections
Brain damage and the development of mental illness are caused by certain infections and worsening of its symptoms. For example, streptococcus bacteria causes a condition known as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDAS) which leads to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other mental illnesses in children.

●Brain defects or injury
Some mental illnesses are linked to defects in or injury to some areas of the brain.

●Substance abuse
Substance use may cause changes in brain structure and function, so that a person is more likely to develop a mental disorder. Anxiety, depression, and paranoia has been linked to long term substance abuse.

●Prenatal damage
Some studies show that some mental health issues in mothers during pregnancy have been linked to further mental health of a child. If a mother is depressed during pregnancy, the risk of symptoms of depression, anxiety, hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and autistic spectrum may increase in the child.

●Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
is a group of developmental disabilities caused by differences in the brain. People with this disease have problems with social communication and interaction, and repetitive behaviors. People with ASD may also have different ways of moving, learning, or paying attention.

●Other factors
Exposure to lead or other toxins and poor nutrition leads to developing mental illness.
 
Psychological Factors 
Psychological factors that lead to mental illness include:
● Severe psychological trauma such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse suffered as a child
● In early life, major loss such as death of a parent
● Ignorance
● Social isolation or loneliness
● Less ability to relate to others

Environmental Factors
Unlike psychological and biological causes, environmental factors are difficulties and stressors that teenagers and other people deal with in their daily routine.  Environmental factors are psychologically based, but tend to be for longer periods of time. Environmental causes of mental illness in teenagers are typically a result of depression and stress.

Major causes of stress in teenagers are social stress, loneliness, or substance abuse.  Other sources of stress include:
● Bullying
● Demands at work or school
● Unstable environment in home. For example, family violence at home.
● Unsafe living conditions
● Obesity
● Chronic illness
● Natural disaster
● Car accident
● Acts of violence
● Witness of traumatic event experienced with another person
● Cultural or social expectations such as societies that considered beauty connected to thinness can be a major factor in the development of eating disorders
● Feelings of inadequacy such as low self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness and anger
● Death or divorce 
● lack of green outdoor spaces
● Lack of social support

Socioeconomic Factors
Some research shows a link between social and economic inequality and mental health problems. Socioeconomic factors that leads to mental illness include:
● Debt 
● Poor or unstable living conditions
● Education 
● Unemployment 
● Low income 
● Poverty 
● Negative life events
Socioeconomic factors are connected to environmental factors.

Signs and symptoms of bad mental health in youths
● Continuous sadness for about two or more weeks.
● Being tearful, seem down, or lack of motivation.
● Face trouble in coping with everyday activities.
● They have persistent physical pain,such as stomach aches, headaches, or backaches.
● Show less performance at school or college.
● Suddenly refuse to go to work, school, or college.
● Avoid or withdraw from social interactions.
● Showing the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
● Extreme irritability or outbursts .
● Show sudden changes in his behavior, for no clear reason.
● Risk taking or out of behavior that can be harmful.
● Show low self-esteem, for example, blame themselves for problems and think they are not a good enough person.
● Being very anxious about their weight and physical appearance.
● Self-harm or talk about self-harming.
● Talking about suicide or death.
● Problems with sleep.
● Substance abuse.
● Have trouble with the police, or fight with someone or
steal.

Common mental health disorders in youth
Common mental health disorders among youth may include attention deficit-hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

Anxiety disorders
It is the most common mental health disorder in youth. Anxiety disorders are characterized by emotions and feelings of excessive worry, uneasiness and fear
● Examples may include post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder,phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
● Occur in almost 32% of 13-18-year old youth
● A report in 2016 shows that 11% of young people had anxiety disorder
● Globally 1 in 5 youth experiencing symptoms of anxiety. This amount doubled during 1st year of Covid-19

Depression
● Depression affects feelings, thoughts, and daily activities, which includes working eating, and sleeping
● Occurs in about 13% of 12-17 year old
● Examples may include seasonal affective disorder and major depressive disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
● A person having ADHD may have differences in brain activity and development that affect ability to sit still, attention, and self-control
● Occurs in approximately 9% of 13-18 year old

Eating disorders
● This disorder is characterized by abnormal and extreme eating behaviors, for example excessive or restricted eating
● Occur in approximately 3% of 13-18-year old 
● Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are common eating disorders.

Importance of mental health among youth
Good mental state is a necessary part of healthy youth development.It encourages young people to build positive emotions, thinking, behavior, communication skills, social circle. It plays a major role in better mental well-being and mental health later in life.

How does mental health affect youth?
Youth having mental health issues may experience problems in a wide range of settings such as within their school, families at home, and in their community.
Due to their behavior, youth having mental health disorders give challenges to siblings and parents and are sometimes blamed for family disruption and distress. Family relationships become exhausted because caregivers and parents do not know how to encourage and help their children or themselves.
Some youth having mental health disorders can face difficult times to succeed in school. It is not because these youths do not want to get success. Instead, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, related to their mental health disorders can interfere with their ability to perform well. 

Summary
It is important that a parent should be aware of what is happening with your child, not just behaviorally but also emotionally. Every child is different and stress, emotions and life experiences affect him in different ways.
In this article we have discussed causes of mental health illness in youth, symptoms of mental health disorders. I hope by studying this article, you will be able to know about many mental health issues in young people and how bad or good mental health affects youth.