Teen mental health crisis highlighted in Shona Project report

Dr Colman Noctor, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and senior mental health lecturer at SETU Waterford, said recent findings show a worrying level of struggle among Irish teenagers.

The Shona Project’s Perfect Storm 2026 report surveyed 802 secondary school students aged 12 to 19. It found that 41% described themselves as struggling and a further 41% were merely coping rather than thriving.

Among 12‑ to 15‑year‑olds, 44% of girls reported struggling compared with 24% of boys. In the older group (16‑ to 19‑year‑olds) the figures rose to 55% of girls and 38% of boys.

Noctor noted that while many attribute the decline to social media, smartphones, academic pressure, COVID‑19 lockdowns, body image, cyberbullying and climate anxiety, he believes a “fulfilment crisis” is at the core. He explained that adolescents often lack the sense of being seen, heard, belonging and having purpose, which he sees as essential for mental wellbeing.

He highlighted how primary‑school friendships are often organised by adults, providing structure and face‑to‑face interaction. In contrast, adolescence brings reduced parental scaffolding and increased reliance on smartphones, which he argues offers contact but not genuine connection.

Noctor warned that time spent on phones—up to 30 hours a week for some—means less time for in‑person interaction, boredom‑driven creativity and real‑life experiences that foster meaning and purpose.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Israel Torres / Pexels.