Is increased depression in our youth an illness?
I t is so sad. But perhaps not surprising to see the parlous state of the mental health of everyone — but particularly our youngsters — featuring extensively in the news, lately. Levels of anxiety and depression seem to be at nightmare proportions and suicide claims more lives than crime, armed conflict and terrorism combined. And the rate of suicide for teenage girls in Ireland may be the highest in Europe. But although persistent low mood is becoming more widespread, we’ve never been more prosperous, better educated, more connected, more widely travelled, and with access to better health care than any generation in history. There is, however, another anomaly: in contrast to previous generations there is no shortage of food — in fact, we’re often now suffering from overeating without necessarily being better nourished. There seems to be a widespread assumption that the “answer” to increasing levels of depressive conditions and disorders can be provided by our ...