Addressing Critical Issues Facing Adolescents

The “Economic Case for Investment in the Well-being of Adolescents in India,” is a recently released report by the Partnership for Newborn, Maternal and Child health (hosted by the World Health Organization) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It highlights the progress made by government policies and programs in addressing the well-being of adolescents in India. The report builds on global findings derived from the report on “Adolescents in a Changing World—The Case for Urgent Investment, released by WHO.”

The findings show that investments in areas such as adolescent health, education, child marriage prevention and road safety have the potential to yield returns on investment ranging from US$4.6 to US$71.4 for every dollar invested. Further investments in adolescent well-being could boost the Indian economy by an average of about 10.1% of annual GDP. Investments in the adolescent health services programme, which includes interventions targeting child health, newborn and maternal health, malaria, HIV, nutrition, non-communicable diseases, substance abuse and mental health, could yield a return of US$5.9 for every dollar invested.

Early interventions in adolescent well-being have proven to be beneficial. Adolescent mortality rates have fallen by almost 60% and adolescent fertility rates have fallen by 83% over the period 2000-2021. Moreover, as school enrollments have increased over the same period, there has been a sharp decline in the prevalence of child marriage.

The changing nature of the world now requires scaling up interventions in other areas, including preparing adolescents to improve learning outcomes in school and in turn prepare them for better employment opportunities. Education can no longer be just about enrollment; it must also look at aspects of quality and reducing dropouts, especially in higher education. The International Labour Organization reported that by 2024, 83% of the unemployed in India will be youth. Therefore, it becomes particularly important to ensure better employability of adolescents by equipping them with the right skills and training.

Mental health

Another area of ​​adolescent health that needs investment is mental health. About 7.3% of Indians between the ages of 13 and 17 reported serious mental illness in 2015-16. Mental health issues were particularly aggravated during the pandemic years. Moreover, India reports the highest number of suicides in the world; unfortunately, one-third of these suicides are recorded as adolescent suicides. The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram is a program that focuses on adolescent health. However, the mental health component is neglected and is often treated as a secondary concern.

Nutrition, again, is critical for adolescents to reach their full growth potential. The government provides adolescents with biannual health check-ups, deworming and iron-folic acid support, and counseling for reproductive health and sexual well-being. Despite these measures, adolescents in India are affected by malnutrition. Nearly 40% of girls are anemic and at least 1 in 2 adolescents are at risk of noncommunicable diseases. In addition, additional challenges in the form of multiple micronutrient deficiencies have emerged. It is clear that more needs to be done with existing policies and programs to improve coverage.

Sexual violence

Another area that needs redress is the growing incidence of violence among adolescents. For example, the Child Line received 50% more emergency calls for protection from violence and sexual abuse in the first 11 days of the lockdown in India. Moreover, according to the National Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence, 8% of adolescents reported experiencing physical abuse, 60% reported experiencing psychological violence, and 18% reported experiencing sexual abuse within a year of being in a relationship. The World Health Organization reports that nearly 24% of adolescent girls who have been in a relationship report intimate partner violence.

Growing internet penetration and easier access to digital devices are driving more adolescents online, using social media and engaging in digital communication. McAfee published a report on “Cyberbullying in Plain Sight” in 2024, which highlighted that nearly 85% of children surveyed in India have been victims of cyberbullying, the highest rate in the world. The study also reported that three out of four children in India have been cyberbullied. A similar report by McAfee released in 2022 revealed that smartphone usage among children between the ages of 10 and 14 in India is at 83%, about 7% higher than the global average. Both parents and children are largely unaware of the safety measures available to them to tackle any form of exploitation they face online.

Cyberbullying

The National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal was launched by the government in 2019 to help citizens report cybercrime. In addition, the Cyber ​​Crime Prevention Against Women and Children initiative offers a helpline and portal for children to anonymously report cyberbullying. However, concerted action is needed to educate young digital users and equip them with the right tools to fend off potential online predators. Parents should also be informed about the legal remedies available to victims of cyberbullying.

Adolescents are a critical resource in the country. Health, education and socio-economic support must be aligned with the holistic growth of adolescents. Investing in their overall well-being is a prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a healthy, productive workforce for the future.