Key facts
- Professor Peter Fonagy, head of an independent review into mental health, ADHD, and autism, stated that young people are experiencing a real rise in mental distress.
- Anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders are the most common mental health issues among young people.
- Fonagy dismissed the idea of a "snowflake generation," stating it is "harder to be young" due to economic uncertainty and social media pressures.
- The review is expected to conclude that the rise in mental health problems since the 1990s is real, affecting about one in four 16 to 24-year-olds.
- Fonagy described NHS mental health services as "not fit for purpose" due to long waiting lists, with one in three referred individuals waiting over a year for help.
- Fonagy linked increased loneliness among young people to the rise in phone and social media use, which disrupts face-to-face contact and sleep patterns.
Professor Peter Fonagy, the head of an independent review into mental health, ADHD, and autism, has asserted that young people today face a genuine increase in mental distress, countering the notion that they are a "snowflake generation." In an interview with the BBC ahead of the review's publication, Fonagy stated that anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders are prevalent among children and young people.
Fonagy attributed this rise to a more challenging environment for young people, citing economic and employment uncertainty, alongside the pressures of social media. He believes that adults have failed this generation, noting that many young people feel they will have a worse life than their parents. The review, which involved over 100 experts and families, is expected to conclude that the increase in mental health problems since the 1990s is real, with approximately one in four individuals aged 16 to 24 currently experiencing difficulties.
While acknowledging that increased awareness and reduced stigma contribute to more people seeking help, Fonagy remains adamant about the reality of the escalating mental health issues. He highlighted that the trend affects both boys and girls, becoming particularly pronounced in girls around age 12, and noted societal expectations placed on young women as a contributing factor. The report will also address how the pandemic exacerbated these problems by disrupting young people's lives.
Fonagy criticized the current NHS mental health services as "not fit for purpose," pointing to long waiting lists where one in three referred individuals wait over a year for help. He also linked increased loneliness among young people to the rise in phone and social media use, which reduces face-to-face contact and disrupts sleep. Fonagy emphasized the need for societal action across education, employment, housing, and families, including restoring youth services to foster a sense of belonging. He expressed hope that society can work together to ensure young people receive the help they need.