Why talk of a snowflake generation is wrong

The professor heading an independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism recently told the BBC that the rise in mental health distress is not exaggerated and is based on a real increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders as well as other mental health problems. This has been backed up by his review, released this week.

Professor Peter Fonagy said talk of young people being 'snowflakes' is wrong and that young people today face a range of challenges, including economic and employment uncertainty as well as the impact of social media that can both impact and reinforce mental distress. The review states: “The rise in mental health problems is real, is affecting everyday functioning and cannot be explained by greater awareness alone.”

While the media coverage of the report has focused on ADHD and autism and whether these are in danger of being overdiagnosed [a focus that the review ironically suggests is part of the problem], the report says needs rather than diagnosis should be at the forefront of discussions. It is much broader than the bulk of the coverage may suggest, assessing how NHS services are organised and the long waiting lists for assessment. It also comments on wider support provided by society in places such as schools and workplaces.

It says: "The opportunity now is not simply to manage rising demand. It is to build a better system: reducing unacceptable waits now, while reshaping both clinical and non-clinical support, taking a serious approach to prevention and wellbeing, and improving mental health and neurodevelopmental care within and beyond the NHS, particularly in the community."

The report points to rising levels of mental distress, particularly among young people, and says this is affecting everyday functioning and cannot be explained by greater awareness alone. Often problems are multidimensional. But it says severe mental health problems such as schizophrenia have remained stable.

It recommends intervening earlier, preventing avoidable distress and impairment and strengthening the specialist services on which people with the most severe and complex needs depend.

The report came as the Education and Health and Social Care committee continues its inquiry into children and young people's wellbeing. 

Professor Fonagy's comments echo those of other experts, such as Matthias Pierce, Senior Research Fellow in the Division of Psychology & Mental Health at the University of Manchester. He told the BrainWaves Living Well conference in the summer that mental health has been worsening for years, accelerating from 2012 and post Covid, with rises in anxiety and self harm in particular and girls showing more distress than boys. Pierce said that the theory that the rise in mental ill health is due to overdiagnosis could be backed up if young people were presenting with milder symptoms. However, his research shows that is not the case. 

How can the drivers of mental ill health be addressed? While many, such as employment concerns, require political action, others can be eased through early intervention to promote mental wellbeing, including a sense of belonging at school. Loneliness is a growing concern among young people with an Office for National Statistics survey in 2018 showing 11.3% of 10-15-year-olds in the UK reported often feeling lonely, rising to 19.5% of children living in a city and 27.5% of children on free school meals. Covid has exacerbated this.

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors is an early intervention programme that aims to pair students with peer mentors within their school to talk about their problems. Teachers and pastoral support teams match mentors and mentees up after mentors have been given training which covers issues such as active listening, boundary setting and mentor wellbeing. Safeguarding is at the centre of the training and it is made clear that mentors are not counsellors. Read our FAQ for more details.

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash