The Unspoken Crisis: Mental Health in Young Australians

A recent study has shed light on a concerning trend: the prevalence of severe mental disorders among young Australians has increased by nearly two-thirds over 15 years, with suicidal thoughts more than doubling. This is not simply a matter of “snowflakes” being too sensitive; rather, it’s a complex and disturbing reality.

The research, conducted by the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney, analyzed national surveys between 2007 and 2022. Among those aged 16 to 24, mental disorders have surged from 23.4 percent in the first survey to 36.2 percent – a 54 percent relative increase. The largest growth occurred in severe mental disorders, which rose from 14.7 percent to 24 percent.

According to Tim Slade, director of epidemiology and biostatistics at the Matilda Centre, young people are facing a perfect storm of challenges that’s leaving them severely impaired. As part of the research, a youth advisory board was assembled to canvass the opinions of young people. Their findings paint a picture of a generation struggling to cope with the pressures of modern life.

The Silent Victims

Student Georgie Berry, 22, is a member of the youth advisory board and a stark example of this phenomenon. In an essay as part of the research, Berry rejects the notion that the younger generation is simply being too sensitive or entitled. Instead, she argues that the increasing severity of mental health disorders in young people is due to a worsening cost-of-living crisis and higher rates of loneliness.

Berry’s experiences are echoed by many young people who participated in the survey. When discussing their struggles with peers, Berry heard a common response: “If I could afford my groceries, of course I’d be less stressed.” This speaks volumes about the economic insecurity faced by young Australians, which is often overlooked in favor of more sensationalized explanations.

A Complex Issue Requiring Nuanced Solutions

Nicola Palfrey, head of clinical practice at Headspace, believes that the surge in reporting of severe mental illnesses is a combination of young people being more willing to come forward for assessment and their conditions getting worse. While social media can be an easy scapegoat, it’s clear that there are multiple contributing factors at play.

The youth advisory board highlights economic and housing insecurity, lingering post-COVID impacts, climate anxiety, sedentary lifestyles, and social media as key drivers of the crisis. Rather than looking for a single culprit, we need to acknowledge the complex interplay of these factors and work towards prevention and early intervention strategies that address the root causes.

A Call to Action

Palfrey recommends keeping an open dialogue with young people, seeking formal help through free services like Headspace or psychologists, and teaching self-directed skills for stress management. However, we need to go further than this. Slade notes that nearly two-thirds of all cases of mental disorder start before the age of 25, which underscores the importance of prevention and early intervention.

Ultimately, Berry believes work needs to be done to address underlying causes: “We need to give young people the relief they need to actually be able to give their mental health the attention it requires.” We can no longer afford to dismiss this crisis as simply a matter of individual resilience or personal responsibility. It’s time for us to listen, to act, and to provide support for a generation that’s crying out for help.

In the face of this unspoken crisis, we have a choice: to turn a blind eye or to take action. As Berry so eloquently puts it, “We shouldn’t be surviving, we should be thriving.” It’s time for us to do better by our young people and to provide them with the support they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging world.