Adolescence is a time of great change, increasing mental vulnerability. Additional challenges such as family discord or bullying significantly heighten vulnerability, and risk is higher for certain groups, such as those identifying as non-binary. These are all issues the recent research from the COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities study powerfully illustrates.
Hard on the heels of this research came NHS Digital’s report Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People in England - 2022, showing that the proportion of 17-19-year-olds with a probable mental disorder has increased from 17.4% in 2021 to 25.7% in 2022.
It is well-evidenced that people’s social and economic conditions strongly influence their mental and physical health. We need to listen carefully to what adolescents are telling us and think seriously about preventing mental distress.
