Speakers - AWC 2025

Abstract

Background
Child and adolescent mental health in Mithila Municipality faces significant challenges, as evidenced by data from a mental health camp conducted between 2019 and 2024. Developmental disorders, depression, anxiety, and ADHD emerged as the most prevalent conditions, while addiction-related issues, though less frequent, require targeted interventions. Trends indicate a persistent burden of depression (31 cases annually from 2022 to 2024) and a rising prevalence of anxiety (from 9 cases in 2022 to 16 in 2024). These patterns underscore the urgent need for prevention and management strategies.
Methods
Data from the mental health camp was analyzed to identify trends across multiple mental health conditions over a five-year period. This analysis focused on conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and developmental disorders, examining changes in prevalence to guide intervention strategies.
Results
The study revealed a steady prevalence of depression and an increase in anxiety cases, reflecting ongoing challenges in addressing emotional disorders. Substance use disorders declined from 12 cases in 2022 to 4 in 2024, suggesting some success in prevention efforts. However, the emergence of thought disorders (31 cases in 2024) indicates new challenges. Developmental disorders remained prominent but showed a gradual decline, while ADHD cases stabilized over time.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the importance of a dual approach: addiction prevention and broad-spectrum mental health interventions. Community-based education, school mental health programs, and family engagement are critical to addressing addiction-related challenges. Persistent developmental and depressive disorders require long-term resource allocation for specialized care, while emerging conditions like thought disorders emphasize the need for early identification and tailored interventions. Evidence-driven policy-making is essential for reducing the mental health burden in Mithila Municipality. Future studies should evaluate implemented strategies to ensure sustained progress.