The latest data from a mental health charity has found children as young as five are battling with their body image and eating disorders.
The youth-focused mental health charity, I Am Hope, revealed the findings on Wednesday, providing a sobering insight into the challenges facing youth today.
The anonymised data from its Gumboot Friday platform was based on more than 4,150 requests for counselling.
The data found anxiety as the "primary stressor" among young people in today's society, with 69 percent of people seeking help through the platform dealing with anger or family issues and 89 percent of people struggling with eating disorders.
"While we were aware of the increasing prevalence of eating disorders, what truly surprised us was the age at which children are now grappling with body image," I Am Hope founder Mike King said.
He said the data illustrates children as young as five years old are seeking help, and numbers more than quadruple by the age of eight.
"This data underscores the critical importance of addressing anxiety with both urgency and empathy," I Am Hope chief executive Troy Elliott said.
King said although prescription drugs are often used to treat anxiety, research proves counselling is significantly more effective.
He believes it is essential to provide free access to this option for young Kiwis.
"Left untreated, anxiety can rapidly develop into severe mental health issues, placing more strain on our already stretched crisis teams," King stressed "This, in turn, has led to an overreliance on medication as a kind of medicated waiting room."
Date also found young people face an almost identical number of issues regardless of their economic or ethnic background.
"Over the last few years, we have been led to believe that mental health has increasingly become a lower socio-economic, ethnic problem, and while there are some discrepancies overall, our data shows mental well-being affects everybody," King explained.
He said it emphasises that mental health issues know no boundaries.
Additional findings through the data:
- Addiction often follows depression, suggesting its use as a coping mechanism for deeper emotional challenges.
- Females seek help for addiction at a higher rate than males.
- Stress, Trauma, Self-esteem and relationships are significant issues for young people 18-22
- Anxiety, depression, and stress are most prevalent among females.
- Self-esteem issues are reported less frequently by males than females.
- Identity and LGBTQIA+ issues are statistically significant.
King described the statistics as a "wake-up call" and said they show the importance of early intervention and awareness.
"Our young people are battling anxiety, depression, and stress at alarming rates, and it's our collective responsibility to support them," King stressed. "Gumboot Friday plays a crucial role in providing the help they need."
Where to find help and support:
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
