Mental health needs of tribal college students in Araku Valley

The indigenous tribal population in India, often residing in remote and underserved regions, represents a marginalized minority with limited access to healthcare, particularly mental health services. Despite the pressing need, there is a scarcity of research focusing on the mental health challenges faced by adolescents and young adults within these communities. This study addresses this gap by examining the mental health needs of tribal college students in the Araku Valley region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The study sample comprised 291 participants (118 males, 173 females), representing adolescents and young adults from various tribal backgrounds. Utilizing the Students Counseling Needs Questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire-30, the study identified alarmingly high prevalence rates of mental health concerns, including uncontrollable disturbing thoughts (73.18%), loneliness (62.19%), depression (57.04%), phobias (54.97%), and suicidal ideation or attempts (39.16%). Notably, the study revealed a trend of decreasing mental health needs with advancing age, suggesting that adolescents are more vulnerable than young adults. Furthermore, significant gender differences were observed, with female students reporting higher family-related needs compared to male students. These findings provide critical insights into the mental health challenges faced by tribal college students and have important implications for policy development and educational practices aimed at addressing the unique needs of this population. Educators at tribal institutions can use these findings to address the mental health needs of tribal students.