Climate, technology and economic issues are leading to high levels of anxiety and depression, and rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. The researchers argue for more wellness policy action.
By Tonia Callendar, GWI research fellow
Declining youth mental health has been a global concern for some time. A troubling new report from The Lancet warns of how high levels of anxiety and depression have led to rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. The authors link this trend to the rise of several “megatrends” such as climate change, financial insecurity, harmful social media and loneliness, making immediate policy solutions all the more critical. But rather than solely advocating for improving traditional mental health resources, the report calls for “a genuine paradigm shift” that incorporates diverse mental wellness approaches.
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