A recent survey conducted by the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health has revealed that 18% of school children in Sri Lanka are suffering from various mental health issues.
The survey, which covered over 2,500 students aged 13 to 17 across the country, was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The survey, carried out between September and October 2024, involved 78 questions across 10 health-related topics.
The findings highlighted several concerning trends among school children, including feelings of isolation, sleep disturbances, and increased anxiety and depression.
Dr. Chiranthika Withana, National Program Manager for Adolescent Health at the Family Health Bureau, noted that 22% of students reported feeling isolated in the past 12 months, while 12% experienced sleep disturbances due to various issues.
Additionally, 18% of students were found to be suffering from depression and anxiety.
Alarmingly, the rates of suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts have increased compared to 2016, with 4.4% of students contemplating suicide, 9.6% planning it, and 9.1% attempting it.
The survey also revealed that 63% of students suffer from sleep deprivation due to excessive internet use.
Cyberbullying was reported by 5.4% of students, and 63% indicated that they do not get enough sleep, which is crucial for their health.
Dr. Withana highlighted various forms of harassment faced by students, including physical attacks (23.8%), sexual harassment (6.1%), dating violence (10.1%), and cyber sexual harassment (6.9%). Physical fights were reported by 34.5% of students, and despite legal prohibitions, 47.9% of students reported experiencing physical punishment in schools.
To address these issues, Dr. Withana emphasized the importance of creating a healthy environment for children, including promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and implementing effective school health programs.