Research Highlights Approaches to Addressing 'Mental Health Crisis' Among Young People in New Zealand

Wellington — Research from New Zealand reveals that the mental health of children and young people in the country is deteriorating, with Māori and disadvantaged youth being the most affected. This has prompted calls for actions to enhance resilience-building efforts.

The research authors note that suicide is the leading cause of death among New Zealand teenagers, with the country's youth suicide rate being one of the highest in the developed world.

The study shows that over one-fifth of individuals aged 15-24 experienced significant psychological distress in 2022 and 2023. It highlights various strategies to better equip young people to handle multiple pressures, including the roles of parents, schools, communities, and policymakers in supporting this demographic.

Symptoms of depression among high school students rose from 13% in 2012 to 23% in 2019, while the proportion of students considered to have positive well-being decreased from 76% to 69%.

Researchers from the University of Auckland’s Centre for Learning for the Future, a think tank focused on child development, emphasize the urgent need to foster resilience in children, starting from early childhood education through high school, to ensure they can navigate challenges safely.

Felicia Low and Seungyon Kim, members of the research team, urged policymakers to back initiatives that strengthen resilience, including cognitive systems, problem-solving strategies, communication, social skills, and self-regulation. They stressed the importance of stable and supportive relationships with caregivers or peers.

The research team also pointed out that the factors contributing to the mental health decline in young people are numerous, including exposure to stressors during prenatal and infancy stages, difficult transitions from childhood to adolescence, complicated family or peer relationships, and discrimination.

Source: Xinhuathai