Young people aren't snowflakes - mental distress is rising, says head of official review
Summary
Professor Peter Fonagy, leading an independent review of mental health, ADHD, and autism, says mental health problems among young people are genuinely increasing, with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders common. He highlights that economic uncertainty, job worries, and social media pressure make growing up harder than before, rejecting claims that young people are overly sensitive or a "snowflake generation."Key Facts
- The review was started nine months ago after a comment by the then-health secretary about over-diagnosis in young people.
- About 25% of people aged 16 to 24 now experience mental health issues.
- Prof Fonagy says the rise in mental health problems since the 1990s is real and not just due to increased awareness.
- Social media and economic challenges contribute to the mental distress young people face.
- Girls, especially from age 12, are more affected, partly due to societal expectations and issues like sexual aggression.
- Over 100 experts and families helped with the review.
- Some doctors worry that normal stress is sometimes wrongly treated as a medical problem.
- Prof Fonagy shared his personal experience with mental health struggles when he was young.
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