Over the past few years, pediatric and adolescent mental health disorders have risen at an alarming rate worldwide. Anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, self-harm, and screen-related distress are increasingly being reported in routine pediatric and primary care consultations. The WHO estimates that 1 in 7 adolescents (10–19 years) globally lives with a mental disorder, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral conditions being among the leading causes of illness and disability in this age group.¹ The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst—but the surge extends beyond it.
Academic pressure, social media exposure, cyber bullying, sleep disruption, family stress, and urban lifestyle changes are now recognized contributors. Importantly, many children present with somatic complaints—recurrent abdominal pain, headaches, fatigue, or sleep disturbance—rather than overt psychological…
