Expert reveals the 'most serious public health problem' facing young people

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A new study published in the BMJ Mental Health Journal suggests that mental resilience might be the secret to a longer life.The research, carried out by Sweden's Karolinska Institute and China's Sun Yat-sen University, analysed data from 10,500 American adults with an average age of 66.Each participant was scored on their mental resilience and categorised into one of four groups based on their level of resilience.

The findings indicated that individuals with higher mental resilience generally had a longer lifespan.After adjusting for other variables, it was found that those who were mentally stronger had a 38 percent lower risk of mortality.

According to The Times, the researchers believe that "good coping skills can help offset the negative impact of long-term conditions and subsequent disability", reports the Express.

Nevertheless, the researchers also noted: "However, individuals differ in their ability to overcome and adapt to adversity, with some exhibiting resilience while others struggle."This study emerges at a time when the mental resilience of young people is under intense scrutiny, following warnings from health experts about a worrying increase in mental health issues among the younger population.Following research from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health, there has been a surge in calls for more action to support young people and tackle the escalating number of mental health cases.The paper has issued a stark warning that "mental ill health" has now reached a critical stage, posing a significant risk to the well-being and prospects of young people.Leading the research, psychiatrist Professor Patrick McGorry has described the youth mental health crisis as "the most serious public health