Genes, brains and self-harm: New study links adolescent risk to biology and disadvantage

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Self-harm is common among adolescents and a strong predictor of suicide risk. A major new cohort study in the British Journal of Psychiatry explores how genetic risk and brain differences might explain who’s most at risk, and why.

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Adolescent versus adult depression: Is risk of recurrence the same?

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Is teenage depression more likely to come back later in life? A new population study challenges assumptions and finds similar recurrence risks in both adolescents and adults.

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Teen drug use today, mental health struggles tomorrow? What the evidence says

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Ian Hamilton unpacks a new study revealing how teenage substance use can pave the way to serious mental health struggles later in life. A clear warning: early use today could mean bigger problems tomorrow.

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Adolescents are more sensitive to social media feedback

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Nora Skjerdingstad presents a recent study that the explores the constant feedback we encounter on social media platforms, and the impact that ‘likes’ can have on adults and young people.

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School connectedness may protect against suicidal ideation in adolescents

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Monika Raniti and Jennifer Dam summarise a recent narrative systematic review, which suggests that school connectedness can help protect against suicidality, but the research points to it being more protective of suicidal ideation than suicide attempts.

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Inflammation and depression: new insights into sex differences in adolescents

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Sophie Fairweather explores a recent paper which suggests that the inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 are associated with both the risk of developing depression, and with depression severity, although this relationship is modified by sex.

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Young people are worried about climate change, but how do they cope?

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Trish Darcy considers a scoping review of empirical evidence on climate concerns, negative emotions and climate‐related mental illness in young people.

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Deciphering self-help: how do adolescents experiencing emotional difficulties cope?

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Nuria Gardia considers a scoping review on self‑management, self‑care, and self‑help strategies in adolescents with emotional problems.

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What impact has the Russian invasion had on youth mental health in Ukraine?

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In his debut blog, Tyler Elliot considers a case-control study focusing on the impact of the Russian invasion on the mental health of adolescents in Ukraine that suggest the risk for developing mental health conditions has likely been exacerbated in war-affected areas.

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Equipping young adolescents with wellbeing skills: does a universal, classroom-based CBT intervention promote positive mental health?

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Emily Hards and Maria Loades summarise a cluster randomised controlled trial exploring the effectiveness of universal process-based CBT for positive mental health in early adolescence.

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