Experts have warned of an alarming surge in youth mental health issues.

A new report published by The Lancet Psychiatry Commission has highlighted a significant and troubling rise in mental health issues among young people worldwide. 

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health identifies several global challenges - such as insecure employment, the climate crisis, and unregulated social media - as key factors contributing to this surge. 

Health experts have described the situation as both “dangerous” and “alarming”, calling for immediate action to address these challenges and improve mental health support systems.

According to the report, the mental health of young people has been steadily declining over the past two decades, with the situation now reaching a critical point. 

This deterioration is attributed to a combination of intergenerational inequality, wage theft, and the increasingly precarious nature of employment for young people. 

Additionally, the escalating climate crisis and the pervasive influence of social media, which remains largely unregulated, are exacerbating psychological distress among the youth.

Patrick McGorry, a leading Australian psychiatrist and the executive director of Orygen Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, led the research. 

“This is the most serious public health problem we've got,” McGorry has told reporters. 

He said that if the same level of health deterioration was observed in other areas like diabetes or cancer, governments would be compelled to take drastic actions.

The report also reveals a contrast between the magnitude of the problem and the global response. 

Despite mental ill-health accounting for at least 45 per cent of the overall disease burden among those aged 10 to 24, only 2 per cent of global health budgets are allocated to mental health care. 

This disparity is evident even in wealthier nations, where less than half of the mental health needs of young people are being met.

McGorry also criticised the broader societal attitude towards young people, noting “an ambivalence society often displays towards young people and their needs”. 

This lack of concern is reflected in the insufficient funding and resources devoted to mental health care, further compounding the problem.

The report from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission calls for a comprehensive overhaul of youth mental health care systems. 

It suggests that a new approach is needed - one that not only addresses clinical needs but also considers the social, economic, and political factors that impact mental health. 

The Commission calls for a coordinated effort to design, test, and implement new models of care that are accessible, preventative, and integrated across various sectors of health care.

Furthermore, the economic implications of untreated mental illness are substantial, with the report highlighting the trillions of dollars lost globally due to premature death, disability, and diminished potential. 

The Commission argues that investing in mental health care for young people is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.