A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY STUDY ON FORMS OF ANXIETY EXPERIENCED BY COLLEGE YOUTH IN CHHATTISGARH

Anxiety is a pervasive mental health concern which poses a threat to the mental, physical and social well-being of an individual. WHO and other organisations have raised concerns over the alarming anxiety rates among youth in educational landscape. As the higher education infrastructure is evolving day by day, hence it becomes necessary to delve into the aspects of stress and anxiety among the youth. Rapid technological advancement, competitive atmosphere, lifestyle changes, social solitude and uncertainty about the future are the underlying causes that makes youth vulnerable to psychological disturbances. Apparently, urban and rural background influences the response of youth to the anxiety stimuli. This study focussed on identifying the forms of anxiety experienced by the college youth in Chhattisgarh across various faculties and disciplines. Gender based variation was significantly noticed upon analysis of data received through a semi-structured interview schedule. Medical students depicted high academic anxiety as compared to other disciplines. However, it was noticed that almost all disciplines faced some or the other form of anxiety which questions the existence of mental health education in the present academic sphere. Need based interventions such as robust counselling services, digital detox zones, peer support groups and mental health initiatives are extremely essential for keeping the stress levels of our future generations under check.