India is home to the largest number of adolescents globally, comprising about a fifth of its population (243 million).A meta-analysis reports that 6.5% of the community and 23.3% of school children and adolescents have psychiatric disorders. India has the highest youth suicide rate globally, and suicide is the leading cause of mortality in this population. The National Mental Health Survey (2015–2016) reported a 7% prevalence of psychiatric disorders in 13–17 years and was nearly equal among both the genders.The overall impact of mental illnesses on society is enormous, and the awareness about the severity of mental health diseases is very poor. Most mental disorders begin before 25 years of age, more often between 11–18 years.The burden associated with common mental disorders (depressive and anxiety disorders) rises in childhood and peaks in adolescence and early to middle age (10–29 years). A meta-analysis estimated that the global prevalence for any mental disorder among children and adolescents is 13.4%.Multiple factors are associated with poor mental health among adolescents, including domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and teenage pregnancy.Transition through stressful and unhealthy adolescence with a high burden of mental disorders can impact their health and well-being later in life.