A Spotlight on Adolescent Mental Health

November 2023

Shore is committed to nurturing the mental wellbeing of its students and understands its role in addressing this crucial youth health issue – one of the biggest concerns among parents and children of our time.  

Acknowledging the growing and alarming trend, and as part of its ongoing pastoral care programme, Shore invited Professor Patrick McGorry, a world-renowned clinician, researcher, and advocate for early intervention in youth mental health to address parents and staff to provide a forum for thoughtful discussion on the state of teen mental health and what we can do about it.  

Professor McGorry presented research-driven insights into the mental health crisis currently affecting young people across the Western world, including some sobering statistics about the problems faced by our young men and women.  

He commented on the generational factors and different challenges that they face, including issues like a perceived lack of security, societal inequalities, the climate crisis, and how this affects wellbeing. His discussion highlighted the need for modern health systems that are responsive and tailored to the unique needs and experiences of younger generations. These systems, he suggested, should be safe, friendly, and co-designed to ensure they resonate with the young people they aim to help.   

A particularly key point from Professor McGorry was the importance of strong relationships in supporting adolescent mental health. He urged parents and educators to foster meaningful connections, emphasising the need to engage in regular conversations and to provide the time and space for them to reach out and seek guidance.   

Importantly, Professor McGorry also highlighted the role young people themselves can play in supporting each other within the School environment. By establishing a community with a strong foundation in mental health literacy, he stated that students can become empowered to provide peer support and cultivate a more understanding and supportive environment.  

He also provided some helpful tools and practical advice, encouraging us all to stick with it and support our young people, as they will find a way through with our help.  

We are firmly committed to building a supportive, understanding community focused on addressing youth mental health.