In this episode, Matías Irarrázaval was interviewed, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and mental health advisor at PAHO, to explore the growing concerns around mental health in young people across the Americas.
Key points discussed include:
Prevalence and Challenges: One in seven adolescents experiences mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, substance use, and suicidal behavior. Most do not receive adequate care due to stigma, lack of access, and limited resources.
Recognizing Symptoms: Warning signs include persistent sadness, irritability, social withdrawal, academic decline, sleep and appetite changes, and risky behaviors. Parents are encouraged to trust their intuition and seek help if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
Role of Families and Caregivers: Listening without judgment, validating emotions, and offering support are essential. Avoiding minimization, comparison, or blame helps foster trust and openness.
Impact of Digital Life: Social media can both harm and help mental health. Risks include comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption, while benefits include access to information and peer support. Balanced, supervised use is recommended.
Nutrition and Lifestyle: Healthy eating, regular sleep, and physical activity are foundational for mental well-being. Omega-3-rich foods and avoiding ultra-processed items are emphasized.
Substance Use: Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among adolescents is rising and poses serious risks to brain development and mental health. Total avoidance is advised.
Building Resilience: Adolescents can strengthen their mental health through emotional coping tools, real-life connections, routines, and self-compassion. Schools and communities play a vital role in support and prevention.
Access to Care: PAHO advocates for better training of health professionals, increased funding, youth-friendly services, and integration of mental health into primary care and schools.
Final Messages: Adolescents are encouraged to seek help and recognize their emotions as valid. Parents should aim to be present and supportive, not perfect. Mental health is a shared responsibility across society.
