Dr. Marian Davis
A recently released report detailing the decline in mental health among young people was compiled by dozens of leading scientists and experts from around the world, including Dr. Marian Davis, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Massachusetts Chan College of Medicine. Ta.
The Lancet Psychiatry Commission provides the first comprehensive global view of adolescent mental health, highlighting threats and opportunities to the mental health of adolescents aged 12 to 25, including climate change and COVID-19. pandemic, social media, etc.). Supporting and promoting the potential of new models of youth mental health care.
“The global truth is that we need to recognize that this age group has unique needs and that our mental health care needs to address them in such unique ways. ”
– Dr. Marian Davis
The report shows that young people’s mental health has declined over the past 20 years, and has skyrocketed over the past four years as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The paper also highlights other ‘megatrends’ in which environmental, social, economic, political and technological changes are influencing increasing mental health problems among adolescents and young adults.
“There are a number of themes we have identified as contemporary challenges that are having a significant impact on the mental health of young people, including intensifying climate change, social media and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr Davis said. . “This paper raises a global issue, that discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions is extreme and can impede the provision of all kinds of reasonable care. This is a time when young people around the world may be struggling with their mental health.
In speaking about the specific changes facing 18- to 25-year-olds in the United States, Davis said: They remain an underrecognized and underserved population and age group. They are the group most likely to suffer from mental health conditions and substance use disorders. There is still a disconnect between when a person becomes a legal child and becomes a legal adult, and that age group is not really considered. ”
“The global truth is that this age group has unique needs and we need to recognize that our mental health care needs to address them in such unique ways.” added Davis. “It should be tied to cultural expectations and meanings, be individualized, and focus on prevention and treatment.”
