Managing Emotions and Adolescents' Mental Health

Adolescence is a developmental period during which there is a transition from childhood to adulthood mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. Thus adolescent experiences changes in all the facets of his/her life. The stage of adolescence can be described from physiological, psychological and sociological point of view. The adolescent undergoes lots of physiological changes which have psychological as well as sociological implications. The adolescent needs to handle the associated emotions in order to form an identity, develop good interpersonal relationship and work towards desired life goals. However, being a transitional phase, adolescence is marked with confusions, uncertainties, anxieties, fears resulting in an emotional turmoil. The various stress and strains that the adolescents undergo affect their mental health negatively. Hence it is very important for the adolescents to understand their emotions and manage them in an effective manner. Successful handling of emotions will significantly contribute to the mental health of the adolescents. This requires the adolescent to be intelligent about emotions. Emotional intelligence involves being aware of one's and others' emotions and learn how to handle/manage these emotions. Research studies have pointed out the many benefits of emotional intelligence in various contexts. Adolescents face many challenges which mainly involve emotions. Hence they need to learn to manage their emotions, signifying the crucial need to develop emotional intelligence in the adolescents; this will ensure a positive mental health for the adolescents.