Survey reveals worrying level of mental health ignorance among teenagers

The poll, conducted by Great Ormond Street Hospital, found that 46% of 12-18 year olds in the UK are unable to name a single mental illness.

Almost half of those questioned (47%) felt that schools were not teaching enough about mental health. Many felt that adequate support was unavailable, with 37% stating that the internet would be their first point of reference for advice.

To address this issue, GOSH has launched a new interactive mental health section on their website. Information on drugs, treatments and general mental health advice is available, alongside podcasts of a young patient’s first hand experience of life inside a psychiatric unit.

‘Many teenagers feel there is not enough information on mental health conditions available to them,’ said Great Ormond Street child psychiatrist Jon Goldin. ‘The launch of the new section of Children First for Health website is crucial to our work in trying to address this.’

The resource for teenagers can be accessed by clicking here.

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