Girls perform worse than boys

Copenhagen, October 10, 2023

Mental health and emotional well-being are consistently worse among adolescent girls than among boys of the same age; This is according to a new report from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, released today, on World Mental Health Day.

This gap actually widens with age, with outcomes being worst for 15-year-old girls.

The report, titled “Mental health and psychological well-being of adolescents in Europe and Central Asia,” is based on data from the 2021/2022 Health Behavior of School-Age Children Study (HBSC Study), which examines the health behavior and social environments of Almost 280,000 boys and girls aged 11, 13 and 15 from 44 countries in Europe and Central Asia are examined.

Girls consistently performed worse than boys in terms of life satisfaction, mental well-being and assessment of their own health and also reported loneliness more often. About a quarter of 15-year-old girls said they had felt lonely most or always in the past year, compared with about a seventh of boys.

A consistent pattern

Although the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to contain it may have played a role, they are not the only explanation. Rather, the life satisfaction of young people, especially girls, and the assessment of their own health have shown a negative trend since 2018, i.e. even before the pandemic, while many health complaints – such as sleep disorders, back pain, headaches or depression – have been increasing since 2014.

“I think a lot of girls put themselves down because they ask themselves, ‘Am I good enough? Am I strong enough? Can I do something?’, answered a girl from a secondary school in Scotland when asked about the results. “They put themselves down and blame themselves for everything. They don’t accept themselves as they are.”

“The challenges facing young people today are diverse and stressful, ranging from the climate crisis to academic pressures and societal expectations to the pervasive influence of social media,” said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure they have the support and resources they need to overcome these challenges. Just last month, the WHO Regional Office for Europe launched the Youth4Health network, giving young people a seat at the table in decisions affecting their health and well-being. Today, World Mental Health Day, we stand together to highlight the essential importance of youth mental health.”

The survey also found that a third of teens felt nervous or irritable more than once a week in the past six months. About a quarter reported sleep problems (29%) or depression (25%). A fifth (20%) reported headaches more than once a week.

The report also reinforces long-standing evidence that socioeconomic status is a predictor of mental health, with overall health poorer among youth from less affluent families.

Early interventions with a focus on schools

These results highlight the importance of early intervention. Although not all adolescents who complain of poor mental health need medical treatment, such as from a psychiatrist, they often do need such treatment if these complaints are not addressed immediately.

Schools are highlighted as a particularly important place in this context, as they are the first point of contact for young people with mental health problems in most countries. When schools are placed at the center of some mental health promotion and prevention programs, the investment in improving the mental health of children and young people will pay off the most.

Students who need more specialized support can be referred by schools to other community-based services, such as hospitals and community mental health centers.

A foundation for a holistic approach to health and well-being

Monitoring the mental health of children and young people, e.g. B. through the HBSC studies, can help determine the impact of national or regional interventions to improve mental health and well-being.

“With its long-term trends, the HBSC study allows us to monitor the impact of overall societal change and individual lifestyle habits on health outcomes in adolescents,” said Jo Inchley, international coordinator of the HBSC study. “It is important that we find out from the young people themselves what topics are important to them and what factors influence their health and well-being. While there are many challenges to overcome, the data also shows the importance of creating a loving and supportive environment in which youth can thrive.”

“The results of this study are sobering. Young people tell us that they are not well and it is up to us, as adults, as decision-makers, to listen to them and to act,” stated Dr. Kluge concludes. “Our survey highlights the urgent need for more tailored mental health interventions for girls and women: in our schools, at home and in society at large. And while boys may not report mental health problems to the same extent, they still need to be sensitized to watch for signs of stress, anxiety or loneliness in themselves and others. Together we can ensure that mental health truly matters everywhere in our region.”

——————————————

Countries and regions involved: