New research shows that female teenagers, especially those from lower-socio economic backgrounds, and gender-diverse adolescents, are significantly more likely to experience worsening mental health symptoms over their high school years.
The study of over 6,600 Australian teenagers and published this week in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, is the largest of its kind and provides new insights into Australian adolescents’ mental health.
Researchers surveyed teenagers’ multiple times from years 7 to year 10, allowing them to track how mental health symptoms developed over time.
Lead author Dr Scarlett Smout, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, says that mental health symptoms were alarmingly common and increased as teenagers aged.
‘By year 10, nearly 3 in 10 teens in this sample had probable major depression, almost 1 in 4 reported high mental distress and nearly 1 in 4 had moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms,’ said Dr Smout.
‘We were very concerned to find that mental health symptoms were so widespread in this large cohort of Aussie teens. While our sample wasn’t representative, it provides further evidence that current generations of teenagers are suffering more than those before them.’
Support needed for those most at risk
Co-author Dr Katrina Champion, a Senior Research Fellow from the Matilda Centre, said that knowing which groups were most at risk was vital to help inform what support and programs were offered.
‘Compared to males, females and gender diverse teens experienced greater symptoms of distress, anxiety and depression, especially those from less affluent backgrounds.
‘More work needs to be done directly with teenagers in these vulnerable groups to develop tailored mental health prevention and support programs,’ said Dr Champion.
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia says that more also needs to be done to understand what is driving poor mental health amongst teens and how good mental health can be protected and promoted.
‘Adolescent mental health is a hugely concerning and growing public health issue. The teenage years are a foundational time in our children’s lives, setting up their mental wellbeing for the future,’ he said.
‘This study shows that mental health symptoms in our younger generation are disturbingly common, deteriorate over time and are affecting some of the more vulnerable segments of our community. We need more research to better understand what’s driving these trends, as well as how we can invest in prevention to protect the mental health of teenagers.’
Conference
In recognition of growing concerns about mental health as a public health issue, The Public Health Association of Australia will run a new three-day Mental Health Prevention and Promotion conference in March 2026 in Parramatta. The inaugural event will bring together experts to understand and discuss how mental health conditions, particularly in young people, can be better understood and prevented.
If you’re a young person and would like help with mental health concerns, you can access free confidential support through the Kids Helpline (KidsHelpLine.com.au or Free call: 1800 55 1800) or ReachOut (Reachout.com.au).
