Clinical Profile of Young Adults Presenting to Primary Care Clinics: Insights and Future Directions

Young adulthood (18-25 years) represents a critical developmental stage marked by heightened vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Despite this, there is limited data on the clinical and demographic profiles of young adults seeking mental health care in India. This study analyzed trends and associations in the demographic and clinical characteristics of young adults participating in Collaborative Video Consultations (CVCs) at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across nine Indian states.

Data from 120 CVCs conducted between November 2022 and September 2024 were analyzed. Patients aged 18-25 were assessed using intake forms, clinical evaluations, and self-reports. Diagnoses included Common Mental Disorders (CMDs), Severe Mental Disorders (SMDs), Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), and other conditions. Associations between demographic factors, sleep disturbances, Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH), and diagnostic categories were explored.

CMDs, predominantly depression and anxiety, were the most frequent diagnoses. Females were more likely to be diagnosed with CMDs, while males had higher rates of SUDs. Occupation showed significant associations: CMDs were common among students, SMDs among non-earning individuals, and SUDs among earning individuals. Sleep disturbances were significantly associated with CMDs (p < .001). DSH was also prevalent in CMDs (p = .003).

The findings underscore the clinical significance of early detection and gender-sensitive, occupation-specific mental health screenings at PHCs for young adults. Expanding teleconsultation models, such as CVCs, could help bridge care gaps for underserved populations.