Understanding the Global Youth Mental Health Crisis
In recent years, there has been a concerning trend of declining mental health among young people around the world. A new Lancet Psychiatry Commission has highlighted this issue, indicating that we are now entering a dangerous phase in terms of youth mental health.
Research has shown that a majority of mental illnesses develop before adulthood, with peak onset typically occurring around age 15. In fact, mental ill-health contributes significantly to the overall burden of disease in individuals aged 10-24, accounting for 45% of the total burden.
However, the latest evidence suggests that the prevalence and impact of mental health issues among young people are on the rise. Dr Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General in the USA, has even gone as far as to label this situation a ‘youth mental health crisis’.
The Lancet Commission on young people’s mental health has assembled a team of experts and individuals with lived experience, including ten youth commissioners, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current state of young people’s mental health worldwide.
Unlike traditional approaches that separate children’s mental health from adult mental health, this Commission is focused on individuals aged 12-25, encompassing what they refer to as the ’emerging adult phase’ that spans adolescence and early adulthood.
Through their research, the Commission has identified several global megatrends that are contributing to psychological distress and exacerbating the transition from adolescence to adulthood. These trends include unregulated social media use, inaction on climate change, intergenerational inequality, adversity linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising student debt, housing and employment precarity, and destabilizing political structures worldwide.
“The youth mental health crisis is of the utmost importance globally, given how dependent societies are on the capacities and contributions of young people. As long as so many emerging adults die prematurely, are consigned to a life of welfare dependency, are denied sufficient respect and nurture, and languish in precarity, society itself will become more precarious. The youth mental health crisis is more than a warning sign, and now might be our last chance to act.”
It is evident that addressing the youth mental health crisis is crucial not only for the well-being of young individuals but also for the stability and sustainability of society as a whole. Recognizing and addressing the underlying factors contributing to this crisis is essential for creating a healthier and more supportive environment for young people worldwide.
Through collective action and targeted interventions, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact in improving the mental health outcomes of young people and ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.
