In some instances, where psychopathology and health-damaging behaviour share a common origin, intervention may best focus on antecedent familial or social circumstances. Whatever the risk process, successful interventions for adolescent mental health problems are likely to bring other health benefits. The emerging importance of adolescent mental health carries implications for adolescent health care and health promotion. Within psychiatry this has been recognised in calls for a greater emphasis on the management of adolescent onset disorders. However, psychiatric services can deal only with a minority of adolescents with common disorders such as depression and anxiety, so responsibility for early recognition and treatment rests more broadly.
General practitioners are likely to play a major role.
This has been recognised in the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for the treatment of adolescent depression, which are accompanied by guidelines for the general practitioner in the psychological and medical management of adolescent depression. These skills are likely to play a central role in dealing with adolescent behavioural problems such as substance abuse, and, when dealing with associated emotional problems, may do much to prevent progression to dependent patterns of use. Meeting the challenge of adolescent mental health must ultimately extend to preventive action. Interventions to support families, schools, youth and community organisations in the creation of social environments which promote mental health and well-being should bring gains in adolescent mental health, which in turn are likely to bring diverse health benefits. Its psychology and its relations to physiology, anthropology, sociology, sex, crime, religion and education.