The characteristics and findings of the studies are shown in Supplementary Table S1 https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/in-crisis/article/How-can-schools-provide-mental-health-services-17072714.php (See Supplementary File). Out of 122 full-text papers retrieved, 11 met the inclusion criteria, bringing the total number of included studies to 83. Searches were augmented by Google Scholar, reviewing the reference lists of relevant studies, and by seminal publications known to the authors. There were significant variations in the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and trends among countries. The prevalence of depression among young adults in Australia has more than doubled over the past 14 years, according to data from the 2007 and 2020–21 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (21).
- In a national Hopelab survey released in July 2025, 55% rated their mental health as “good,” “very good,” or “excellent,” and 57% expressed optimism about their own futures, even though they had significant worries about the future of the country and the world.
- Hence, there are critical intergenerational consequences of inaction given parental mental health problems are predictive of offspring mental ill-health (205–208).
- The scale of this crisis extends beyond the disorders that have been the main focus of this review, as other potentially serious mental illnesses that typically emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, such as eating disorders, have also increased in incidence (303).
Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling, get information about a mental health condition or find support, our guides can help. If you are worried about a child speak to a GP who can offer advice, and if necessary, make referrals to other services to support the child and/ or the family. “The PHA also encourages people of all ages to be aware of the things that are important for our mental health and wellbeing. This printable PDF is a clear and child friendly wellbeing worksheet that helps kids, children, and young people explain what they need when they are not feeling OK. This free How to Co Regulate with a Child PDF offers a simple one page guide that helps adults support a child, young person or teenager during emotional overwhelm. Our Social Media & Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal is your go-to resource for expert, evidence-based answers to real questions from youth, educators, parents, and pediatricians about the impact of social media on youth well-being.
The AAP provides recommendations and guidelines to support pediatricians and other health professionals working to address mental health concerns and promote healthy mental development. Through programmes like Active Stars, we're helping children feel connected, confident and supported, now and for the future. When children enjoy being active and feel confident taking part, the benefits go far beyond physical health. Schools, families and communities all have a part to play in creating spaces where children feel valued, supported and able to thrive. Our five-step approach is a commitment to understanding, to thoughtful and intentional care, to meaningful relationships, to healing from trauma, and to guiding children successfully through life’s transitions. By planning carefully and working collaboratively, we help children move forward feeling secure and capable.
Youth Mental Health: Why It Matters, and What Needs to Change
During the pandemic, I immersed myself in data – taken from research I was working on with a team of researchers who were monitoring the mental health of the UK population. This has left a lasting legacy for the lives of young people and has potentially reshaped the landscape of their social and emotional development. Instead, they lived through a global public health crisis that resulted in not only catastrophic health and economic consequences, but also extreme disruptions in vital educational, social and family interactions over a sustained lockdown. We want children and young people to discover how getting to know who they are can help them build resilience, grow and develop. The theme for 2025 was Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, with the aim to equip and empower children and young people across the UK to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them.
Free Cycle of Change Theory Model Poster
And while there are certainly still disparities and major gaps to be addressed, the incipient positive turn in youth well-being is not receiving the same amount of attention as the negative trendlines before it. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. The evidence gathered here underscores that meaningful progress depends on coordinated action across education, health, community, and policy sectors.
The youth mental health crisis: analysis and solutions
However, some studies have reported increases for both genders in relation to anxiety, depression and emotional problems (28, 38, 49, 51, 54, 77, 79, 80) or higher increase for males for psychological distress (81), and low mental wellbeing (82). “WHO is supporting countries’ efforts to build community-based mental health care for young people, redesigning services and care pathways in ways that makes them accessible.” It calls for the phasing out of institutional care in favour of community-based services that allow children to grow in their families and communities, ensuring continuity in their education, social relationships and overall development. The report also draws attention to the millions of children with mental health conditions worldwide who are institutionalized, despite having existing families, arguing that this practice violates their human rights and leads to poor health and social outcomes. By taking these actions to address key barriers to accessing mental health care, countries can significantly improve mental health outcomes for children and young people.
