Perception on Anxiety among Adolescents and Mental Health Professionals and Development of Comic Strip

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a phase of many physical and psychological developments. This stage is also vulnerable to the development of mental illness. Anxiety is one of the most prevalent disorders among adolescents, which mostly onsets before puberty. This study aimed to understand the perception on anxiety among adolescents and mental health professionals and develop a comic strip on anxiety. METHODS: This qualitative study involved focus group discussions (FGDs) among mental health professionals and pre-university college students. The FGD data were analyzed through direct content analysis according to the predetermined broad themes. RESULTS: Awareness regarding anxiety was poor among adolescents, and in certain situations they were found to be reluctant to seek professional help. The comic strip on anxiety was developed based on the findings of FGD based on the themes, general awareness, factors responsible, symptoms and coping, management, and barriers to seeking professional help. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents perceived mental health as very important for their overall health. The adolescents did not know that they were going through anxiety, but they noticed that they had some mental health issues and wanted to get out of it. The development of comic strip on anxiety for adolescents was an attempt to overcome these barriers.