Teenage girls in mental health crisis

REPORT: Julia Weldon

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

One in three teenage girls in Hull reports “poor” or “very poor” mental health, nine out of ten are unhappy with their body, and one in four has been a victim of cyberbullying.

The shocking statistics, revealed in the new annual report by the city’s public health chief Julia Weldon, come amid increasing concern about the impact of social media on teenagers.

In her report, which this year focuses on women’s health, Mrs Weldon said women and girls were facing rising levels of abuse and harassment online.

Issues around misogyny have shot into the spotlight since the release of the Netflix drama Adolescence, which focuses on the impact of toxic online “influencers” on some teenage boys and the rise of so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture.

It has also reignited the debate about young people’s access to smartphones, prompting a fresh appraisal of whether “guidance” prohibiting their use in schools has been effective.

Dr Alex Macnamara, public health registrar and part of the team who worked on the report, told The Hull Story: “'It’s a really important issue and we know there are increasing concerns about potential harms of social media use, especially for children and young people, and there is emerging evidence suggesting that there is a link between excessive use of social media and poor mental health.”

Mrs Weldon, Hull’s director of public health, said: “Children and young people, just like anywhere else in the country, are experiencing the impact of access to the internet that is much greater than we experienced when we were younger and we need to be aware of both the benefits and harms of that.

“There are issues for women and girls growing up feeling bullied or not safe that have an impact on them for the rest of their life.”

Emma Dallimore, chief executive of Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, said: “This report is deeply concerning. We know society is placing increasing pressures on people, particularly young people, and we are seeing our waiting lists grow. But with the current funding and resources available, there’s only so much we can do to help.

“Children and young people are facing a range of mental health challenges, and they deserve support. From anxiety and low self-esteem to struggles with body image and identity, more needs to be done. Many are overwhelmed by academic pressures, social expectations, and the fast-paced nature of modern life.

“Through our work in schools and with our partners, we’re doing all we can to support those in need, but we can’t do it alone. We’d welcome conversations with other partners and organisations on how we can collaborate to ensure people receive the help they deserve.”