Mental distress among youth increasing, says review head Prof Fonagy

Prof Peter Fonagy, a leading psychologist at King’s College London, told the BBC that the experience of growing up has become significantly more challenging for today’s youth. In an exclusive interview, Fonagy highlighted a surge in mental‑health difficulties among adolescents, noting that rates of anxiety, depression and self‑harm have risen sharply over the past decade. He linked these trends to a combination of factors, including heightened academic pressure, the pervasive influence of social‑media platforms, and broader socioeconomic uncertainties that affect families across the United Kingdom.

The professor’s comments come amid ongoing public debate about how best to support young people, with government agencies and charities reporting increased demand for mental‑health services in schools and community settings. Recent data from the NHS indicate that referrals for children and teenagers have doubled since 2015, prompting calls for expanded resources and preventative programmes. Fonagy’s interview underscores the urgency of addressing these pressures, suggesting that policy responses must adapt to the evolving landscape of youth wellbeing.