Depression, Anxiety, Pressure: Every Tenth Adolescent is Mentally Strongly Burdened

Young people with psychosocial problems receive too little support according to the umbrella organization pro mente Austria. Meanwhile, half of the Austrian and German youth would feel "not good," as new studies show. One in ten, in turn, shows clear signs of high psychological stress - with an increasing trend. This increase was first recorded between 2012 and 2016, said pro mente Austria President, Günter Klug, on Tuesday.

Social Media and Pandemic as Triggers

This increase coincides with the emergence of "algorithm-driven" social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram and has since received "an extreme push through Covid," Klug said at a press conference in Vienna. "Suicides are the most common cause of death in adolescence - after accidents," said the pro mente President. Depression, anxiety, eating and personality disorders, ADHD, as well as stress due to violence, are particularly prevalent among young people in Austria.

Media Consumption Increases Pressure on Youth

According to pro mente, among supervised young people, performance pressure, social isolation, or family problems are particularly virulent. In addition, excessive media consumption is often problematic - altogether, young people spend about "two and a half months a year in front of screens."

According to Klug, personal contact suffers as a result, while it becomes easier to drift into media bubbles. In addition, the global political situation causes additional uncertainty: "We have climate change, we have war. This is very, very unsettling for young people because they are considering how things will continue for them."

pro mente Wants More Support Services

The association is now calling for more resources, such as low-threshold contact points without long waiting times, safe spaces and places of trust, the combination of digital and analog support services, and the involvement of young people in the design of measures. Additionally, they want stronger networking of psychotherapy, social work, and education.

"We currently have a brake due to the budget situation," warned Klug. Therefore, there is a risk of "leaving a now very large group out in the rain." Untreated mental illnesses could sometimes lead to significant deteriorations in living conditions in adulthood.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.