One in every four school-going adolescents is at risk of developing mental health illness, according to a recent study, that stressed the need for early interventions.

The study, led by researchers at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in Puducherry, called for significant intervention at school and home.

“Adolescence is a crucial period during which biological and psychosocial changes occur in an individual. One-fourth of the adolescents were found to be at risk of mental health illness, so periodic screening could be done at schools, for early identification and proper treatment of mental disorders,” said researchers including Kavita Vasudevan, Head of Community Medicine at the institute.