A Short Report of Mental Health Issues among the Young people: Insight from the Fasa Cohort Study : Mental Health Issues Among the Young people based on Fasa Cohort Study

  1. 1Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  2. 2Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  3. 3Université de Poitiers, Centre de Recherche sur la Cognition et les Apprentissages CNRS 7295, Unité de Recherche Clinique en Psychiatrie du Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit 86000, Poitiers, France.
  4. 4Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
  5. 5Clinical Research Development Unit, Valiasr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.

Abstract

LETTER TO EDITOR

Particularly for teenagers and young adults,
anxiety, depression, and other mental health
conditions continue to be major public health
concerns [1]. These transitory phases bring
about significant changes in a person’s social,
emotional, and physical makeup, which may
make them more susceptible to mental health
problems. The serious long-term consequences of ignoring these issues highlight how important it is to act quickly [2].
The Fasa Youth Cohort project was a comprehensive epidemiological study designed
to ascertain the prevalence of mental health
disorders and their relationship to some of
risky behaviors in young Iranians. A study
with 3,013 participants aged 15–35 years used
validated methods and standardized questionnaires (CIDI 2.1) to identify those who experienced mental health problems in the past
year and obtain reliable data [3, 4].
Results related to mental health were linked
using regression analysis as presented in Table-1. The study found that 16.9% of participants had anxiety and 20.7% had depression.
Females had higher rates of anxiety (19.9%)
and depression (24.1%) than males (12.7%
and 16.1%); widowed people had the highest
rates of anxiety (50%) and depression (58.3%).
Women had a significantly greater risk of depression (OR = 1.563, P< 0.001) and anxiety
(OR = 1.452, P< 0.001). Compared to singles,
married adults were less likely to report having depression (OR = 0.679, P = 0.007). While
age was associated with increased risks for
depression (OR = 1.186, P = 0.001) and anxiety (OR = 1.483, P ≤0.001), employment was
shown to be protective against both disorders.
The strongest link was found between depression and opium use (OR = 3.593, P< 0.001).
BMI (OR = 1.392, P = 0.025), Alcohol consumption (OR = 1.969, P = 0.001), smoking
(OR = 1.434, P = 0.006), and opioid use (OR
= 2.556, P < 0.001) were all highly associated
with risk of anxiety.
Both biological and social factors contribute
to the increased incidence of anxiety and depression among women. For a variety of reasons, the psychological toll on women is often
greater than that on men such as economic de-
Soleimani Meigoli M, et al. Mental Health Issues Among the Young people based on Fasa Cohort Study
2 GMJ.2025;14:e3797
www.gmj.ir
pendency, traditional gender roles, and social
expectations. In addition, caregiving duties,
gender-based violence, and hormonal changes
may make women more susceptible to mental
health issues.
Social isolation and financial instability put
widows and the unemployeds in a precarious
position. Living with the unfortunate circumstances of losing a spouse can lead to an array
of mental issues such as depression and anxiety. With their condition exacerbated by the
weak economy, the stress of not having a job
can push these folks to the very edge. These
results demonstrate the significance of financial stability in fostering mental health [5].
Given the concerning facts, targeted actions
must be taken. Based on our findings, we recommend the following strategies:
1. Improved Screening and Diagnosis:
Regular mental health screenings must to be a
part of healthcare systems for adolescents and
young adults. Early detection enables timely
treatment and lowers the risk of long-term issues [6].
2. Comprehensive Mental Health
Services: Therapies that treat substance misuse and mental health issues should be freely
available, affordable, and culturally competent. For many populations, this ensures appropriate care [7].
3. Awareness Campaigns: Educational
initiatives should highlight the risks associated with high-risk behaviors and their impact
on mental health. Young people can make better life decisions when they are given information.
4. Support for Socioeconomic Stability: Programs that provide employment opportunities and provide financial assistance and
Creating spaces for peer support and social
interaction may reduce pressures that lead to
mental health disorders [8, 9].
The aforementioned tactics demonstrate
how important it is to approach the problems
brought up in this study from several perspectives. To create environments that prioritize mental health and resilience, community
leaders, medical experts, and legislators must
work together. They should ensure that mental
health services are accessible for peoples who
are at risk of mental issues, and organize themselves for early detection and intervention
programs. Researchers should focus on longitudinal studies to track mental health trends
and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
Additionally, expanding cohort studies to different cultural and geographic contexts might
help us better understand global mental health

Keywords: Cohort Study; Depression and Anxiety; Risk Behaviors; Youth Mental Health.

How to Cite

Soleimani Meigoli MS, Fakhraei B, Jaafari N, Dehghan A, Farjam M. A Short Report of Mental Health Issues among the Young people: Insight from the Fasa Cohort Study : Mental Health Issues Among the Young people based on Fasa Cohort Study. Galen Med J. 2025 Jul 1;14:e3797. doi: 10.31661/gmj.v14i.3797. PMID: 42038915; PMCID: PMC12328003.