Child mental health crisis: Better resilience is the solution, say experts

The mental health of children is facing a serious crisis, and experts believe that building resilience in young people could be a key solution. Jane Graham, a school nurse with nearly two decades of experience, has observed a significant shift in her role over the years. 'When I first started, most of the support we provided was for physical health issues like asthma and injuries,' she explains. 'Now, the focus has shifted to mental health. ' She has witnessed a troubling increase in the number of schoolchildren struggling with mental health challenges. 'This issue is particularly prevalent among secondary school students, but we are also seeing children as young as seven facing these difficulties,' she adds. 'We are encountering cases of depression, anxiety, and stress, which can lead to panic attacks, self-harm, and eating disorders. Some children are so anxious that they cannot attend school or participate in classes. ' Many healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, youth workers, and social workers, have shared similar observations, indicating a rising trend in mental health issues among young people. According to official statistics, one in five children and young people aged eight to 25 in England is believed to have a mental health disorder. This alarming situation has put immense pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), which is struggling to keep pace with the growing demand for mental health support. In 2024, Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner for England, described the current state of affairs as 'shocking' and stated that the system is in 'crisis. ' However, the reasons behind this surge in mental health issues remain unclear. Experts have proposed various explanations, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living, which have added stress to the lives of young people today. Yet, some mental health experts are raising a different question: Is there truly a mental health crisis, or are young people simply lacking resilience? In other words, are they struggling to cope with everyday challenges that previous generations managed to face? This question has sparked a polarizing debate. The term 'resilience' can be interpreted in different ways, and some view it as a negative label, similar to the term 'snowflake generation. ' However, Professor Andrea Danese, a prominent expert in child and adolescent psychiatry from King’s College London, believes that resilience should be taken seriously. He acknowledges that increased awareness of mental health issues has generally been a positive development, but he also expresses concern that it may have inadvertently led to over-pathologizing normal distress in young people. 'Experiencing challenges and distress is a normal part of life and is essential for personal growth,' he emphasizes. 'Young people develop emotional resilience by learning coping skills through facing small challenges, which in turn builds their self-confidence. ' The narratives we create around mental health are crucial. Jane Graham, the school nurse, shares her perspective, stating that many children she encounters, especially those with milder mental health issues, would benefit from developing greater resilience. She believes that equipping young people with better coping skills could help them navigate challenges before they escalate into full-blown crises, ultimately alleviating the burden on mental health services. 'We need to improve our efforts to teach resilience in schools and promote mental well-being,' she asserts. 'However, the way we approach children's achievements, such as declaring everyone a winner at sports day, does not contribute positively to their development. ' The concept of resilience gained popularity in the 1970s, following research conducted by psychologist Emmy Werner, who studied children from lower-income backgrounds in Hawaii. More recently, resilience has been the subject of several bestselling books, including 'Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,' co-authored by Sheryl Sandberg, the former chief operating officer at Meta. Research conducted in Poland suggests that higher levels of resilience correlate with increased life satisfaction and serve as a protective factor against mental health issues among young people. Two studies involving adolescents aged 13 to 18 found that those with greater resilience were more adept at managing stress, including seeking support from others, and were less likely to dwell on negative emotions. However, not everyone agrees on the importance of resilience or the potential downsides of heightened mental health awareness. Dr. Shari McDaid, head of policy and evidence at the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland and Northern Ireland, argues that attributing rising rates of mental health problems to increased awareness is misleading. She points out that individuals must meet specific clinical criteria to qualify for treatment for mental health issues, and the support they receive must be deemed beneficial. Instead, she believes that greater awareness has led to improved mental health literacy, equipping individuals with the tools to recognize and manage their emotions effectively. 'Our focus should be on preventing young people's mental distress from escalating into disorders,' she emphasizes. 'This requires a comprehensive approach that fosters mentally healthy communities, schools, and workplaces while also nurturing young people's personal resilience.