Study finds mental health disparities in teens are avoidable

Experts say that the differences in mental health between teenage boys and girls are not unavoidable. This comes from a new study comparing the mental health of teens in London, England, and Tokyo, Japan. The study found that girls in both cities show higher levels of depression than boys from early adolescence. However, the increase in depression is more significant and happens faster among girls in London. The research also indicated that boys in London experience similar trends to girls in Tokyo. Researchers from King’s College London analyzed the mental health of 7,100 teenagers aged 11 to 16, looking at their symptoms at different stages of adolescence. They found that girls in London experienced a noticeable rise in depressive symptoms compared to their peers in Tokyo. Young researchers noted that girls in the UK often take on adult responsibilities earlier than boys, especially in low-income families. They believe this may add to the higher depression rates among girls in London. The study also highlighted societal issues, such as lower crime rates in Tokyo, and more significant challenges like racism and poverty in London. The results suggest that societal and structural factors drive emotional health differences, meaning that simple individual solutions may not be effective. The researchers argue that we need to focus on understanding the environments that help young girls succeed, rather than believing that mental health struggles are a natural part of growing up for girls. Dr. Gemma Knowles, the study's lead author, emphasized that we should rethink common beliefs about gender and mental health. She calls for a deeper understanding of the conditions that can promote better emotional health for all teenagers.