Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Substance Use Among School-going Adolescents of Tribal Ethnicity: A Preliminary Study from North-East India

Background: Mental health disparities are more pronounced among marginalized and ethnic communities due to a multitude of societal and environmental factors. These include family dynamics, cultural influences, geographic location, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, all of which contribute to increased vulnerability to mental health issues within these populations.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of mental health issues and substance use among adolescents belonging to tribal communities.Methods and Materials: The current research adopts a cross-sectional descriptive study design and was conducted across five Indian states, with a particular focus on the north-eastern region, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. The selection of districts and schools was done based on convenience sampling in the initial phase of the study. From each state, two schools were selected where the tribal population was high. In each district, a list of schools (20 schools) was prepared based on census data where the tribal population was high. Following the selection of schools within the district, a randomized sampling approach, employing the lottery method, was utilized to choose 10 schools from the compiled list. Subsequently, a total enumeration method was employed for the selection of school-going adolescents, ensuring the inclusion of all individuals within the chosen schools. A total of 983 adolescents belonging to tribal communities participated in the study after providing both assent and parental consent. A socio-demographic datasheet, strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and Brief Screener for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs (BSTAD) were administered.Results: In the context of school-going adolescents, Arunachal Pradesh exhibited a higher prevalence of mental health issues, including emotional and behavioral problems, at 41.9%, surpassing the rates observed in Assam (32.8%), Meghalaya (31.4%), Nagaland (26%), and Manipur (14.22%). The finding shows that the use of alcohol was higher in Arunachal Pradesh (29.03%) as compared to other states; 29.44% of students from Nagaland sniffed or huffed, which was the highest among the five states; and 28.04% of students from Meghalaya took illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, etc., which was the highest among the five states.Conclusion: Proactive measures are urgently required to tackle the mental health obstacles confronting tribal adolescents. Implementing targeted mental health programs tailored to their specific needs is crucial for ensuring their well-being and fostering resilience within these communities.