Lancet Report: “Megatrends” Are Taking Major Toll on Youth Mental Health; Policy Action Needed

Climate, technology and economic issues are leading to high levels of anxiety and depression, and rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. The researchers argue for more wellness policy action.  

By Tonia Callendar, GWI research fellow  

Declining youth mental health has been a global concern for some time. A troubling new report from The Lancet warns of how high levels of anxiety and depression have led to rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. The authors link this trend to the rise of several “megatrends” such as climate change, financial insecurity, harmful social media and loneliness, making immediate policy solutions all the more critical. But rather than solely advocating for improving traditional mental health resources, the report calls for “a genuine paradigm shift” that incorporates diverse mental wellness approaches.  

The Lancet’s new report describes a decade-long decline in youth mental health. Presenting the results of a five-year study, a new policy brief from the Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health discusses how high levels of anxiety and depression have led to rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. Physical and emotional changes place adolescents and young adults at higher risk for mental health issues than other generations. Stressing how much our communities and environments impact our mental health and wellbeing, the authors attribute the current crisis to the rise of several “megatrends,” including climate change, financial insecurity, harmful social media, political strife, lack of social connection, and poor access to mental health services.  

The situation is dire, but there is hope. Rather than solely advocating for improving traditional mental health resources, the report calls for “a genuine paradigm shift … to adequately address the youth mental health crisis” (McGorry et al., 2024). It recommends immediate, comprehensive, and coordinated policy actions that can support youth mental health and wellbeing, including mental health promotion and early interventions such as increasing physical activity and resilience. Importantly, the report calls for addressing the root causes of youth mental unwellness and champions policies that address the underlying economic, social, and political sources of distress such as harmful technology, climate anxiety, work-related stress, and financial and housing insecurity.  

Mental wellness policies can help communities tackle this crisis. GWI’s new Wellness Policy Toolkit: Mental Wellness discusses the threats faced by today’s global youth and explains how mental wellness policies can help to combat this mental health crisis. The toolkit provides examples and resources for promoting youth mental health and demonstrates how policy makers, private companies and non-profit organizations can work together to support our younger generations.  

For a comprehensive discussion of mental wellness policy and suggested programs and initiatives, see the newly released Wellness Policy Toolkit: Mental Wellness.  

To read more about the recommended strategies to address the underlying causes of youth mental distress, see The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health – Policy Brief. 

Reference
McGorry et al. (2024). The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health – Policy Brief. The LANCET Psychiatry Commissions. September, 2024. Volume 11, Issue 9, P731-774. doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00163-9