Adolescents in our Society represent one of the most dynamic segments of the population, standing at the threshold of adulthood and experiencing rapid transitions in education, health, identity, and social roles. However, this critical age group remains underserved and underrepresented in policymaking and community discussions. If Nagaland is to build a healthier and more resilient future, the social and emotional well-being of adolescents must be brought to the Centre of public discourse.
Why Focus on Adolescents?
Adolescence is a formative stage of life marked by physical, emotional, and social changes. The Can Youth a registered Non-Profit organization based in Dimapur dedicated to empowering youth, children, women and marginalized families particularly from minority tribal communities and migrant backgrounds conducted a Social wellbeing Survey among adolescents in Nagaland on October 2024 which covered 610 students aged 10 to 19 across Nagaland, highlights the challenges faced by young people today. According to the findings, 50 percent of adolescents reported feeling stressed or anxious often or always, while 45 percent said they experienced loneliness sometimes or always. In addition, 35 percent admitted lacking confidence in handling challenges, and an overwhelming 70 percent said they did not know where to seek professional mental health support. Only 20 percent felt comfortable speaking to a counselor, families and close friends revealing the deep-rooted stigma and lack of access surrounding mental health services. Despite these struggles, there were encouraging signs of resilience, with 70 percent of respondents expressing hope for the future, and many stressing the importance of family support and career guidance in shaping their aspirations.
Current Gaps
The survey findings reveal critical shortcomings in support systems. Adolescents often lack safe spaces where they can share their struggles without fear of judgment, and schools provide only limited access to counseling or mental health programs. Conversations about emotional well-being within families are inconsistent, while cultural stigma continues to prevent many from seeking help. Furthermore, 40 percent of students rated their knowledge of mental health as good, 30 percent as fair, and another 30 percent as poor, highlighting significant awareness gaps. Coping strategies also tend to rely on informal support, with 50 percent of adolescents turning to friends and family, 30 percent engaging in hobbies, and 20 percent using social media, yet very few approach professionals. Meanwhile, only 40 percent reported having clear goals, and 50 percent said they need career counseling, pointing to a lack of structured guidance in navigating adulthood.
Call to Action
These realities call for urgent and coordinated action. Schools and communities must establish adolescent health and well-being centres where professional counseling is accessible, stigma-free, and adolescent-friendly program to be organized every year. Teachers, parents, and community workers should be trained in adolescent psychology and mental health first aid, enabling them to recognize early signs of distress. Statewide campaigns are needed to break the stigma around mental health and encourage young people to seek support without fear. Integrating resilience-building, mindfulness practices, and life-skills education into school curricula will further equip adolescents to manage the pressures of growing up. In addition, adolescents themselves must be engaged as partners in community development and policy dialogues, while stronger measures are needed to address bullying, substance abuse, and gender-based violence, issues that continue to undermine the confidence and safety of young people.
Role of Community and Civil Society
Some Community-based organizations and Non-Profit organizations including Can Youth have already taken steps in this direction. such as creating adolescent support spaces, offering skill-building opportunities, and providing counseling initiatives that directly respond to the needs expressed in the survey. These efforts are making a difference but remain small in scale. To have a lasting impact, they must be backed by supportive policies, sustained funding, and stronger collaboration between government departments, NGOs, Churches, tribal leaders, schools, and families. The involvement of the wider community is essential, because adolescent well-being cannot be left to organizations alone, it must be embraced as a shared responsibility.
Adolescence is a time of dreams, questions, and transitions, yet many young people in our community’s struggle with school dropouts, peer pressure, health concerns, and a lack of guidance for the future. The Adolescent Learning Centre (ALC) is envisioned as a safe and welcoming space where adolescents are supported not only in their studies but also in building life skills, confidence, and resilience. Here, they can find academic help, digital learning, and career guidance, while also receiving counseling and awareness on mental health, reproductive health, and overall well-being. The centre will nurture creativity and leadership through arts, sports, cultural activities, and peer engagement, giving adolescents the freedom to express themselves and grow. By opening such spaces, the ALC hopes to keep more children in school, strengthen their self-belief, and prepare them with the skills and opportunities they need to step into adulthood with hope and dignity. Currently Can Youth has 20 Adolescents Club and 2 Adolescents Learning Centre (ALC) and the Program is initiated in 3 districts of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Peren
Key Actions Moving Forward
Based on the survey’s insights, several key actions are recommended to strengthen adolescent mental health in Nagaland. Schools must take the lead by introducing comprehensive mental health programs that include counseling services, stress management workshops, and peer support groups, Leadership program through Games & Sports ensuring that students have direct access to help within a familiar environment. Alongside this, communities should actively raise awareness to reduce stigma, encouraging open dialogue so that conversations around mental health become normal and supportive rather than hidden or judged. Expanding access to professional help is equally vital, with the establishment of Adolescents-friendly health centres in school, wards and villages, helplines, and online counseling platforms that can bridge the gap between adolescents and trained professionals. Teachers and parents also play a critical role and should be equipped with training to recognize early warning signs of distress, provide both academic and emotional support, and guide students toward healthy coping mechanisms. In addition, schools can nurture resilience by incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, and relaxation techniques to help adolescents manage stress more effectively.
In conclusion, the findings of the Can Youth survey send a clear message: adolescents in Nagaland are struggling with stress, loneliness, and uncertainty, but they are also resilient and hopeful about their future. They are speaking openly about their needs; it is now up to government institutions, Education Institutes, Non-Profit Organizations, parents, Students union, Tribal Bodies, Churches and civil societies to listen and act. Failing to prioritize the social and mental well-being of adolescents today will only deepen tomorrow’s challenges. By investing in adolescents through care, opportunity, and empowerment, Nagaland can build not only healthier individuals but also a stronger, safer, and more inclusive society where young people are seen not merely as beneficiaries but as active contributors to change.
The write up is based on the working experience with Children & adolescents for the past 10 years and the survey conducted by Can Youth.
Can Youth
Thursday, August 21, 2025