Adolescence has always been turbulent. There can be wondrous joys as young people mature and prepare to take their place in the world as independent adults. There can be wretched woes as they encounter the academic and social stresses of school and the relationship and financial strife that strikes many households. And it is the age at which most mental illness begins to manifest, more of which below.
One of the most important things we must try to do is help our young people build resilience, for everyone will encounter difficulties. A discussion between young people and their parents or carers about how growing up in today's world might differ from earlier times can be valuable and insightful. It is not so much a question of whether it is harder or easier, but of what has changed, and what has not.
Credit: Illustration: Michael Leunig
The central role of technology in young people's lives, for example, means they are bombarded with troubling news. Technology can also be hugely positive for young people.
Another thing that has altered is our awareness of mental health. There is much more knowledge of it in the community, and that has significantly diminished the stigma that for so long has unduly been associated with mental health problems.
That is crucial, because mental illness is so widespread. It is a normal response to the tribulations we face – half of us will experience depression and/or anxiety at some stage in our lifetime.
As you read this, there are more people in Australia experiencing depression than there are suffering a common cold, and there are even more with clinical anxiety. That's some 4 million people. Young people are especially in need of support; one in four of them is currently experiencing a mental health issue.
Most people with mental ill-health do not seek treatment. Parents and carers must help change this, for it would prevent much suffering and even death. As many as nine in 10 young men, for example, do not seek support even when they know they need it.
A study released in recent days illuminates the extent of mental health problems facing young people, and thus is a valuable resource for the adults in their lives. It can inform conversations and help identify problems before they become crises.
The National Union of Students, in partnership with youth mental health organisation headspace, surveyed more than 2600 university and TAFE students. Seven out of 10 rated their mental health as merely "poor or fair".
One in three had considered self-harm or suicide in the previous 12 months. Two in three said they had suffered high or very high psychological distress in the past 12months. Almost 80 per cent had felt anxious, and more than half had experienced panic.
So, what do today's young people identify as the core causes of distress? In its most recent annual youth survey, Mission Australia found the top three listed as most important in Australia were alcohol and drugs, equity and discrimination, and, well, mental health – which was nominated for the first time in the 15-year history of reporting.
That is perhaps a sign of increasing awareness. As their top three issues of personal concern, the respondents identified dealing with stress, school or study problems and body image, while mental health issues were increasingly nominated as personal concerns for young people.
Adolescence will always be a potentially tough time, but awareness, discussion, early intervention and follow-up treatment can foster the joys and diminish the woes. Mental ill-health is treatable. Help is available.
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