A medical article I am reading while down here in Australia has the latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). It shows that mental illness, including anxiety and depression, is currently the greatest burden of disease for people aged 15 to 24.
Recent research by the Australian Childhood Foundation says adolescents, usually defined as aged between 12 and 24, worry about everything from body image to going to war. A third of the kids were frightened that one day they would actually have to fight in a war. 47% were worried about the way they look, 50% were terrified of being bullied in school, 35% worry they are overweight, and 41% said they felt that they weren't doing well enough.
There is debate about whether anxiety is increasing or we are getting better at detecting it. 25% to 50% of 12 to 18 year olds with anxiety problems also present with mood disorder problems.
The Australian Government recently set up Headspace - a one-stop-shop for children with mental health problems which can be assessed online.
Dr. Karen Wolfe · (949) 500-5565
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