Research published in The Lancet has found young people in the grip of a mental health crisis dubbed the ‘most serious global public health problem’. Our sectors must take action

The young people of the world are in trouble and need adults to step up to deliver effective change.

New insight from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health has found a ‘dangerous’ and ‘alarming’ surge in mental ill health globally among the young.

Lead researcher, psychiatrist prof Patrick McGorry, said “This is the most serious public health problem we’ve got globally and if this rapid deterioration in health was to be happening in any other health area, such as diabetes or cancer, there would be dramatic actions taken by governments.”

The report found that while 45 per cent of total ‘disease burden’ globally in people aged 10-24 years-of-age relates to mental health, only 2 per cent of healthcare budgets are allocated to mental healthcare in this age band and in low- and middle- income countries, this unmet need is nearer 100 per cent.

Researchers highlighted intergenerational unfairness in political policy as a major contributor to the crisis and Dr Paul Denborough, clinical director of headspace in Australia described The Lancet paper as “spot on, saying “Young people are aware of intergenerational unfairness in policies – they’re saying; ‘You older people don’t give a shit about us’”.

The report says “there’s much less security and hope for the future surrounding the current generation than ever before. The challenges today’s young people face are unprecedented and devastating.”

Corrosive social media exposure, war and political instability, climate change, early access to adult content online, job insecurity and out-of-reach house prices make some young people fear for their future and are driving these catastrophic outcomes. These are also the generations that will be called on to support the rapidly ageing populations of the world and sort out climate change, so we’re handing them a toxic load.

There’s much our industries can do to support young people in practical ways, by creating good jobs for them, treating them with compassion, paying them fairly and by giving them purpose and confidence in their work.

We must also commit to outreach and educational programmes that teach them about the power of healthy habits to create a strong foundation for a happy and purposeful life and when they become customers we must be aware of the mental health challenges they may be facing and do everything we can to support them to stay well in body and mind.

If nothing is done, we’ll see a generational collapse, so now is the time to act to drive positive change.