CHEARS

Some young people engage in risky behaviors that affect their health and therefore the majority of health problems are psychosocial. Many young people experience multiple adverse childhood experiences. These behaviors are established as a young person and go on to become the lifestyles of adults leading to chronic health problems. Social, cultural, and environmental factors are all important. Young people have specific health problems and developmental needs that differ from those of children or adults. These are :

1. Substance abuse - Substance abuse and problematic patterns of substance use among youth can lead to problems at school, cause or aggravate physical and mental health-related issues, promote poor peer relationships, cause motor-vehicle accidents, and place stress on the family. Child-serving systems need to intervene early in the lives of youth to prevent or treat abuse, support young people, and provide them with the tools to choose the right path.

2. Bullying - The effects of bullying are so debilitating, in fact, that researchers have linked it to a lower rate of success and quality of life decades later. According to Psychology Today, the low self-esteem and attention issues of youths who had been bullied translated to lower incomes and a greater risk for becoming involved in criminal acts as adults.

3. Anxiety and depression - Whatever the cause, this rise in anxiety is a real problem for our youth. Chronic anxiety can lead to serious mental health problems―depression, substance use, and even suicide. It can interfere with the ability to focus and learn causing school problems that can have a lifelong impact.

4. Failure to succeed in the education system - A lack of self-esteem or confidence can prevent a student from building on his or her strengths. Too much confidence can prevent a student from acknowledging and improving on weaknesses. For some children, the thought of failing to succeed in school can stop them from attempting at all.

5. Peer pressure - Peer pressure is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who is encouraged and wants to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.

6. Sedentary lifestyle/ bad habit - Sedentary behavior, primarily assessed as time spent viewing TV, increases risk for overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. Children and adolescents spend an average of 6 and 8 hours per day, respectively, in sedentary behaviors, both during and outside of school.