Bullying, anorexia and depression: boom in requests for help from the under-30s
Di Liegro Foundation, requests for help with mental health problems from under-30s increased
Generation Z is raising a cry of alarm. According to data from the Don Luigi di Liegro Foundation, over the past six months, requests for help with mental health problems from those under 30 have increased exponentially. Thirty-four percent of calls to the Foundation’s Support, Orientation and Social Support Service (SOSS) come from boys and girls seeking help to deal with disorders such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and relationship difficulties. This is an alarming figure that reflects a deep and widespread malaise among the younger generation.
Mental distress: the epidemic of Generation Z.
If until recently mental distress was considered taboo, today it emerges with all its gravity. The causes of this increase are multiple and complex: social media pressure, school competitiveness, uncertainty of the future, economic hardship and, more recently, the impact of the pandemic.
The consequences are severe
Mental distress in young people has significant consequences for their lives and futures. It can impair their ability to study, work, build meaningful relationships and, in the most severe cases, lead to suicide.
An emergency from all over Italy
Calls for help come from all over Italy, with a peak in the capital and its province. But the phenomenon is national and involves even the most peripheral areas. Young people are seeking support to deal with difficult situations, such as bullying, eating disorders, family problems and difficulties at school.
How to deal with this emergency: The Di Liegro Foundation on the front line
The Don Luigi di Liegro Foundation is a point of reference for those in need of help. Through its listening and support service, it offers valuable support to thousands of young people in need. According to the Foundation’s data, already in the last six months there has been an exponential increase in calls for help for mental health problems from those under 30. Thirty-four percent of calls to the Foundation’s Support, Guidance and Social Support Service come from boys and girls seeking help to deal with various disorders and issues, such as depression, anxiety, bullying and relationship difficulties.
An institutional and social commitment
There is an urgent need for action to address this emergency. In this regard, it is necessary for all of society to make a commitment to combat mental distress among young people at the individual, family, school, and social levels through:
- Prevention: It is essential to invest in prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles, educating emotional awareness and offering psychological support in schools
- Early intervention: It is important to identify and treat mental disorders as early as possible to prevent them from becoming chronic
- Destigmatization: It is necessary to dispel prejudices related to mental health and encourage people to seek help without shame
- Family support: Families have a key role in supporting their children in need
Each of us can do our part by listening, understanding and offering concrete support to those in need.