Due to a plethora of negative factors causing distress and emotional unease, adolescents and young adults are exposed to an increased threat of mental health breakdowns. Namely, depression, anxiety, and the associated disorders have become overwhelmingly common in the specified demographic (Wehry et al., 2015). Therefore, mental health, in general, and the increase in anxiety and the related disorders, in particular, can be considered an important health issue in adolescents and young adults nowadays.
At the community level, the problem in question manifests itself in the difficulties experienced by adolescents and young adults while learning and socializing. In their recent study, Quon et al. (2018) mention that, when developing mental health issues, disturbances in sleep patterns being one of the key comorbid conditions. Quon et al. (2018) specify that more accurate assessment and treatment tools need to be developed to address the factors affecting adolescents and young adults in the context of their communities.
Although the problem remains an open concern, several steps have been undertaken to address it. Specifically, the SET-C program has been designed to offer a comprehensive approach to reducing and mitigating anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults (Wehry et al., 2015). The program can be purchased from the American Psychiatric Association. However, the described program appears to be very generic in n nature without considerations for the needs of residents of specific communities. Therefore, it would be legitimate to adopt a solution framework on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, given the fact that the program was developed for major urban areas, t may turn out to be not quite cost-effective for the residents of smaller cities. Thus, a new and more accessible program for handling anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults is overdue.
References
Quon, E. C., Ellis, A. T., & Coulombe, A. (2018). Sleep-related issues in children and adolescents presenting at community mental health clinics. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(3), 175-181.
Wehry, A. M., Beesdo-Baum, K., Hennelly, M. M., Connolly, S. D., & Strawn, J. R. (2015). Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports, 17(7), 591-609. Web.