The findings, based on data from nearly 280,000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15 in 44 countries, highlight a growing crisis in adolescent well-being, with girls and economically disadvantaged adolescents hardest hit.
“Today's adolescents face unprecedented challenges in their social environments” said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, “with potentially long-term consequences for their health and future life prospects.”
“These findings should be a wake up call for all of us to act now to improve the conditions in which our young people grow up,” he stressed.
Decreased family and peer support.
Family and peer support are crucial pillars for adolescent mental health and overall development, but the report shows a worrying decline in both.
Between 2021 and 2022, Only 68 percent of teens reported feeling supported by their families, down from 73 percent in 2018.
The drop was even steeper for girls: Only 64 percent felt strong family support compared to 72 percent in 2018.
Similarly, peer support fell three percent. This decline was particularly pronounced among older teens, who are already more vulnerable to mental health problems.
Additionally, the report shows that socioeconomic status continues to play a major role in shaping teens' experiences, with a nine percent disparity between low-income teens and those from wealthier homes.
The disparity extended to peer relationships, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds also less likely to feel supported by their friends or classmates.
Anxiety in the classroom
Academic pressure is intensifying, with important consequences for the mental health of adolescents.
Two-thirds of 15-year-old girls reported feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork during the time of the study, a sharp increase from 54 percent in 2018. Boys also reported greater pressure, although at lower rates.
Dr Irene García-Moya, one of the authors of the report, said: “The increasing pressure on adolescents is a multifaceted issue. Girls are often caught between competing expectations of academic excellence and traditional social roles, while boys may face pressure to appear strong and self-sufficient.discouraging them from seeking the necessary support.”
The report also found that girls are less likely to feel supported by their teachers.
“These findings point to a critical and growing gap in support structures for adolescent girls, who not only face greater school-related pressures but also experience less support from family and teachers compared to boys,” warned Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, director of the WHO. National health policies and systems for Europe.
“This is not the first time that our HBSC studies point to different health impacts between boys and girls,” he added. highlighting the need to carefully take into consideration the gender dimension of the issue.
Recommendations for action
“Our findings clearly indicate that No sector or industry can address these challenges alone,“said WHO regional director Kluge, emphasizing that the report requires urgent coordinated efforts.
“Building safer and more inclusive school environments, providing financial support where needed and implementing gender-sensitive interventions requires the participation of different spheres, from education to health and public policy,” he added.
Key recommendations include strengthening family support by creating targeted policy interventions for families, such as parenting programs and financial assistance for low-income households.
It is also crucial to reduce school pressures. The authors advocate for more balanced homework policies in schools, reducing class sizes, and integrating mental health support into the curriculum.
Additionally, it is critical to address disparities through inclusive social policies and programs that prioritize marginalized communities.
Dr. Kluge highlighted the importance of including adolescents in every step of the policy-making process. He noted that “this is a key function of the WHO/Europe Youth4Health flagship initiative, Ensure that young people have a much greater say in the decisions that affect their lives..”
