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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask why there are so many kids with mental health problems?

435 replies

Newmama29 · 25/06/2023 09:42

I’ve been scrolling through some threads recently & I find people are talking a lot about their kids/teenagers having mental health problems. Why is this so prominent now? I, myself, was only a teenager 10 years ago so I am baffled as to how many people claim their teens have mental health problems. Is it just that we talk about it more or is society causing this?

OP posts:
QueenBodicea · 25/06/2023 09:48

Yes social media. Constant comparisons to lives that others are supposedly leading. Also covid/lockdown resulted in isolation and increased social media use.

Bromptotoo · 25/06/2023 09:47

Sirzy · 25/06/2023 09:43

I think we are thankfully a lot more aware and able to pick up on things sooner. Sadly the support services aren’t keeping up with the awareness at the moment though.

in hindsight I can now see how much I struggled through my teenage years but it wasn’t discussed so I just kept on struggling!

Both of those things. Exactly.

Various aspects of modern life, including Social Media and access to info via the WWW are factors too but change was always with us.

DelurkingAJ · 25/06/2023 09:47

My unqualified view is that COVID, and the isolation that resulted, tipped lots of vulnerable children over the edge.

Original poster
Newmama29 · 25/06/2023 09:47

@Sirzy did you have a mental health condition though or were you just struggling with normal teen stuff? I’m not asking to be rude, I’m genuinely interested in this & the sociological change in mental health. I would say I had some tough times growing up, but I wouldn’t have diagnosed myself with depression & anxiety.

OP posts:
Glassfullofdreams · 25/06/2023 09:46

Social media

kitsuneghost · 25/06/2023 09:46

I think it's a lot to do with social media.
Not living up to online expectations. Online bullying.
You used to get this at school then get a break from it at home. Now irptbis relentless.

Mintakan · 25/06/2023 09:45

Sirzy · 25/06/2023 09:43

I think we are thankfully a lot more aware and able to pick up on things sooner. Sadly the support services aren’t keeping up with the awareness at the moment though.

in hindsight I can now see how much I struggled through my teenage years but it wasn’t discussed so I just kept on struggling!

The statistics don’t support that. There is a definite increase.

It’s all the shit food

Spottycarousel · 25/06/2023 09:45

Social media

BadgerFacedCoo · 25/06/2023 09:44

Christ.

Sirzy · 25/06/2023 09:43

I think we are thankfully a lot more aware and able to pick up on things sooner. Sadly the support services aren’t keeping up with the awareness at the moment though.

in hindsight I can now see how much I struggled through my teenage years but it wasn’t discussed so I just kept on struggling!