悉尼大学Matilda Centre的研究发现，过去15年间澳大利亚青少年的心理健康状况持续恶化，已不仅限于轻微压力和焦虑。在2007年至2022年期间，16至24岁青少年的整体精神疾病患病率从23.4%跃升至36.2%，增幅达54%[1]。其中最令人担忧的是，重度精神疾病患病率从14.7%升至24%[1]，自杀倾向的增加更是超过一倍[1]。该研究基于自报调查数据进行分析。
研究人员指出，这一趋势反映的是精神疾病严重程度的加剧，而非单纯的诊断标准变化。Matilda Centre研究人员Tim Slade表示："三分之一多的年轻人符合焦虑症、情绪障碍或药物滥用障碍的诊断标准"[1]。受访者Georgie Berry认为："这是对我们面临的不合理社会环境的合理反应"[1]。生活成本危机、住房不安全、孤独感、社交媒体影响、气候焦虑和久坐生活方式等多重因素共同推动了这一恶化趋势[1]。值得注意的是，这种加速趋势在新冠疫情暴发之前就已显现，表明问题根源不仅源于疫情冲击[1]。
A research initiative from the Matilda Centre has documented a significant deterioration in mental health among Australian youth aged 16 to 24 over the past 15 years [1]. The prevalence of severe mental disorders among this age group rose from 14.7 percent in 2007 to 24 percent by 2022, while overall mental illness rates increased from 23.4 percent to 36.2 percent during the same period [1]. Suicidal ideation more than doubled over this timeframe [1].
The research, which analysed self-reported survey data spanning 2007 to 2022, reveals that the deterioration reflects not merely heightened stress and anxiety but rather a marked intensification in severity [1]. According to the findings, more than one-third of young people now meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or substance abuse disorders [1]. Researchers attribute this surge to multiple overlapping factors, including cost-of-living crises, housing insecurity, social media exposure, climate anxiety, and sedentary lifestyles [1]. Notably, the accelerating trend emerged before the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that the crisis extends beyond pandemic-related disruptions [1].