Youth mental health has been recognised as a global issue by a group of health experts in a multi-authored report by a range of psychiatrists, psychologists, academics and young people affected by mental ill health.

Lead author, executive director of Australia’s Orygen Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Professor Patrick McGorry said that “this is the most serious public health problem we’ve got”.

“Over the last 15 to 20 years, we’ve seen an alarming rise, a 50 percent increase in the need for care in this age group,” he said.

The report, which was made as part of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, says this increase is driven by rising student debt, inequality, housing and employment precarity, climate change and destabilising political structures.

Mental disorders and self-harm are increasingly common among young people, with onset peaking at the age of 15 and at least 50 percent of emerging adults developing anxiety with a need for care by age 25.

The report also included that mental ill health is responsible for over 45% of the disease burden for those aged 10-24. While only 2% of global health funds are contributed to the issue.

Despite those figures being a little better in Australia, McGorry said that there was still a “huge mismatch” in government spending in comparison to the scale of the issue.

If you or anybody you know needs support, please contact the following organisations:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Photo: Worried young woman covering face with hand by Liza Summer is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.