A recent study reveals that nearly 75% of young people in Australia experience significant symptoms of depression or anxiety, many enduring these issues over time. This highlights the urgent need for preventive measures beyond clinical settings to tackle this serious public health dilemma.
The research, conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in The Lancet Psychiatry, discovered that mental health challenges are often long-lasting, with 64% of adolescents reporting symptoms multiple times throughout their teenage years.
Dr. Ellie Robson from MCRI expressed concern about the prevalence and recurrence of depression and anxiety symptoms, considering their profound effects on individuals’ lives over time.
“These findings are particularly alarming, especially considering the number of young individuals experiencing symptoms across multiple years. Depression and anxiety can significantly impair the lives of young people, leading to lasting adverse health effects,” she noted.
In this study, 1,239 children from Melbourne took part in the Child to Adult Transition Study (CATS), where researchers tracked their anxiety and depression symptoms annually from ages 10 to 18.
Girls were at a heightened risk, with 84% as opposed to 61% of boys reporting experiences of depression or anxiety symptoms at least once throughout their adolescence. Furthermore, a chronic progression of these symptoms was observed in 72% of girls compared to 49% of boys.
Notably, the emergence of anxiety and depression symptoms often aligned with educational stressors, such as transitioning from primary to secondary school, exam periods, and the conclusion of compulsory education. Among those who faced mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, three-quarters had already exhibited symptoms even before the pandemic, indicating that other stress factors were at play.
Professor Susan Sawyer from MCRI stated that, despite increasing concerns about young people’s mental health, comprehensive studies tracking the progression of common mental disorders during this crucial life stage have been limited until CATS.
“To our knowledge, this longitudinal study reports the highest cumulative incidence of clinically significant symptoms of common mental disorders observed in adolescents from any country,” she explained.
“This alarming rate of mental health issues signifies that even the most resourceful nations may struggle to provide sufficient treatment if every young person sought help. It emphasizes the urgent need for funding and developing effective preventive strategies to diminish the onset and persistence of depression and anxiety,” she urged.
Dr. Robson added, “Today’s adolescents are navigating a markedly different psychosocial environment than those of previous generations. This current landscape features improved mental health understanding, decreased stigma, and at times, the glamorization of mental health struggles. Therefore, our next focus will be to investigate how these reported symptoms impact the functioning and overall health of modern adolescents.”
The GenV initiative, which follows the health and wellbeing of Victorians throughout their lifespan, promises to provide significant insights into the health issues faced by young people, including mental health challenges.
As one of the largest birth and parent cohort studies globally, GenV has already enrolled nearly 50,000 babies alongside over 100,000 parents (mothers and fathers). Recruitment is still ongoing for children born in 2021-2022. More information is available on the GenV website.
Researchers from The Royal Children’s Hospital, the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, and the University of Bristol also contributed to these findings.
