WHO report: The well-being of young people is worrying

Significant differences in socioeconomic status further affect the level of support adolescents receive. Adolescents from low-income families generally have less family and peer support, and face more difficulties in communicating with their parents and participating in family activities. This difference in economic conditions limits adolescents’ opportunities to obtain a positive support environment, which in turn has an adverse impact on their health. The report emphasizes the need for policy intervention to ensure that all adolescents have equal opportunities to grow, regardless of economic conditions.

Gender differences also have a significant impact on adolescents. Boys generally receive more family support and communicate more smoothly with their parents than girls. Although girls perform better in peer support, they have more prominent problems in academic pressure and insufficient teacher support. The report points out that as girls face higher academic pressure and lower levels of support, their mental health risks increase significantly, so gender-sensitive interventions are needed to support them, especially during critical growth stages.

The report also points out that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the social environment of adolescents. Social isolation, school closures, and disruptions to routine life have led to reduced family and peer support for adolescents, and a less positive school experience than before. These changes have exacerbated the already fragile living environment of adolescents, making the challenges they face even more severe.

Action Roadmap

The report calls on governments and communities to strengthen family support policies, especially providing financial assistance and parenting education programs to low-income families, and creating an inclusive and positive environment in schools.

The report points out that schools should prioritize students’ mental health and reduce academic pressure by reducing class size, introducing mentor programs, and incorporating social emotional learning courses. Relevant policies should also focus on the fair distribution of community service resources in poor areas to ensure that young people have equal opportunities for growth.

At the same time, the report emphasizes the need to promote gender-sensitive interventions to pay special attention to the unique needs of adolescent girls in academic and social environments. In addition, schools should also take post-epidemic recovery measures to help adolescents cope with the long-term impact of the epidemic, such as providing mental health counseling and peer support groups.

“The findings remind us that when designing policies to address the challenges faced by adolescents, it is important to prioritize the role of the social environment and ensure that adolescents play an active role in policy-making,” said Dr. Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.