High Schoolers’ Mental Health Challenges Rising, Particularly Among Girls and Gender-Diverse Teens

Recent research highlights a concerning trend: nearly 25% of high school students report experiencing mental health problems, with girls and gender-diverse adolescents facing a significantly higher risk of worsening symptoms during their teenage years. The study, involving over 6,600 Australian teenagers from years 7 to 10, provides the largest dataset of its kind and offers critical insights into the mental well-being of young Australians.

The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, involved multiple surveys over several years, tracking the development of mental health symptoms as adolescents aged. Findings reveal that by the time students reached year 10, approximately 30% had probable major depression, nearly 25% reported high levels of psychological distress, and the same proportion experienced moderate to severe anxiety.

Lead author Dr. Scarlett Smout from the University of Sydney emphasized the widespread nature of these issues. She noted that mental health symptoms tend to increase with age during adolescence, raising alarms about the mental well-being of modern teenagers.

The study also uncovered significant social disparities. Adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those identifying as female or gender-diverse experienced greater symptoms of distress, anxiety, and depression. Co-author Dr. Katrina Champion highlighted the importance of targeted support and prevention programs for vulnerable groups.

Experts advocate for more tailored interventions and comprehensive research to understand what influences these mental health trends. Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin of the Public Health Association of Australia stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, as adolescence is a critical period for setting up lifelong mental health foundations.

In response to these findings, the Public Health Association of Australia will host a three-day conference in March 2026, focusing on mental health prevention and promotion among young people. This initiative aims to foster collaborations among experts to develop effective strategies to combat the rising prevalence of mental health challenges in teenagers.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-high-schoolers-mental-health-problems.html