Adolescent Mental Health: An Empirical Inquiry among BNHS-SHS Students on their Cognizance, Self-Assessment, and Insights

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents today are exposed to a lot of stress-related circumstances. They air their sentiments on social media, but even the high-tech outlet could not ease their burdens, stress, and depression. Mental health is one of the most current issues being tackled by many health experts and school administrators (Lawrence, et. al., 2015). Recently, a male adolescent hanged himself at the traffic lights, and yet another girl teen hanged herself on a tree. Social media captured depressing posts and messages from teen victims of cyber-bullying and scandals. How mentally fit are our adolescents today?

METHODS

This research paper is a descriptive research paper that implores on survey questionnaires and empirical essays in obtaining data and information from the 83 respondents composing of 38 males and 45 females among Senior High School students of Bacongco National High School.

RESULTS

The result from the Cognizance part of the survey questionnaire showed that 50% among the male-respondents of grade 11 strongly agree that they are familiar with mental health while 33% of the female-respondents responded averagely. Moreover, 29% of the males among grade 12 students responded moderate and 33% among female grade 12 respondents responded strongly. A frequency of 65% responded strongly that mental health problems can also happen to adolescents and can affect one's outlook in life. In the Self-Assessment part, 39% of the male-respondents strongly responded that they are experiencing stress while 33% among girls moderately responded. Moreover, 26% of the male feels weak and vulnerable, while 60% of the females are feeling such. Alarmingly, 3 males out of 38 have a strong tendency for suicide, while 5 out of 45 have the same leaning. Around 55% thinks they are experiencing mental health problems. Insights of the student-respondents showed that 84% felt the need for a mental health program in the school. Moreover, 78% agreed that positive family support and ties can resolve mental health issues.

DISCUSSIONS

Mental health is a timely issue in the advent of the 21st century. It is not just an adult concern, but it affects adolescents too. In their empiric essays, respondents shared that mental health is a new concept to them though they are aware that it is often heard in the news. Furthermore, the majority think that they are experiencing mental health problems and that they are depressed. Thus, mental health problems are evident among adolescents, especially among Senior High School students.