Youth mental health enters ‘dangerous phase’

Youth mental health worldwide has entered ‘a dangerous phase’ and right now could be society’s last chance to act, according to the largest study of its kind ever conducted.
 
The world-first review from the new Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health, follows four years of work from more than 50 leading psychiatrists, psychologists, and those with lived experience across five continents.
 
The Commission, led by Australian organisation Orygen, is now demanding a ‘paradigm shift to tackle a global crisis’ after revealing a concerning rise in mental illness.
 
It found that in less than two decades, there has been an alarming 50% increase in rates of mental ill-health among Australian youth, with the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbating diagnoses.
 
The peak age of onset is now 15 years old, with 63–75% of onsets occurring before the age of 25.
 
It says there is currently a ‘changing landscape of youth mental health and the global political, socioeconomic and structural megatrends driving psychological distress’, including social media and climate change fears.
 
Touted as the ‘first definitive guide to youth mental health globally’, the research is calling for greater investment into better research, models of care, and access to youth mental healthcare.
 
‘Unless treated effectively, mental illnesses are a major cause of premature death from physical illness and suicide,’ the study states.
 
‘Even when these illnesses do not cause death, they are the largest and most rapidly growing cause of disability and lost human potential and productivity across the lifespan.’
 
Lead author and Orygen Executive Director Professor Patrick McGorry said the study’s release signifies a major step in recognising youth mental health as an international health priority.
 
‘It is now accepted that mental ill-health is the primary threat to the health, wellbeing and productivity of young people,’ he said.
 
‘But while it accounts for 45% of disease globally in those aged 10–24 years, only 2% of global health budgets are allocated to addressing it.
 
‘This publication … [outlines] the current state of play and making the economic, moral and political case for investing in better research, models of care and access to youth mental healthcare for young people everywhere.’
 
Dr Cathy Andronis, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests – Psychological Medicine, told newsGP that GPs are seeing increasing numbers of distressed young people, with housing problems, the cost-of-living crisis, and growing economic and social insecurities likely contributing to the trend.
 
‘They’re impacting younger people the most because they have the least resources behind them to counteract all those stresses, and of course, that’s now manifesting itself as mental health problems and anxiety,’ Dr Andronis said.
 
Overall, the research finds that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the worsening mental states of young people, but nothing effective had been done since.
 
‘The alarming statistics and personal stories of rising psychological distress among young people before and during the COVID-19 pandemic have elevated the need for action across the global community,’ it states.
 
‘In contrast to the way governments around the world were galvanised by the COVID-19 pandemic to respond to a health crisis, the political momentum needed to drive policymakers to act in a manner commensurate to the scale and urgency of the problem has so far not materialised.
 
‘The major structural reforms needed to support young people’s mental health across healthcare, education, employment, and ongoing welfare support remain largely unrealised.’
 
The research authors said this crisis now needs immediate action, both politically and socially.
 
They aim to develop the field of youth mental health focusing on individuals aged 12–25 years, as they view this period of ‘emerging adulthood as more useful than dividing care at age 18 years’. 
 
Dr Andronis says GPs have ‘a critical role’ here, with 38% of general practice consultations in a typical week currently including a mental health component.
 
‘We are reliable, we’re well trained, we’re accessible, and we can help people help themselves, and that’s why we’re the cornerstone of the healthcare system, but we often forget about our capacity to do that,’ she said.
 
‘We have to not forget that and feel that that’s a critically important part of the work that we do.’
 
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