In order to combat the steep rise of mental health diagnoses, more money than ever is being poured into educational programs, particularly in our schools. Yet the more funding thrown at the issue, the greater the problem exponentially grows. Could it be that weaponising an individual with the language of depression and anxiety is in fact pathologising the normal human experience? Every generation has always looked down on the next as weak and somewhat entitled, the "back in my day" phase making teenage eyes roll worldwide. But are the youth of 2022 really less resilient and more vulnerable to crumbling into a rocking heap in the corner at the slightest inconvenience?
With the rise of gender identity issues, increasing numbers of youth diagnosed with complex trauma and ADHD traits of impulsiveness and short attention span, combined with a world focussed on immediate gratification and victim mentalities, are we fighting a losing battle when it comes to the mental health of the next generation? Or perhaps we need a complete recalibration on how these issues are both conceptualised and addressed.
