Emerging Trends in Youth Mental Health
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuropsychology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 85
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The mental health of young people is a growing global concern. Rapid cultural changes and technological innovations have created a complex mental health landscape. Emerging issues such as pressure for high performance, social media influence, climate change anxiety, as well as identity struggles, highlight the urgent need for research that informs effective interventions. Indeed, all these factors have been shown to affect neural development, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and associated pathways influencing stress responses and mental health outcomes. As a result, rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms, eating disorders, suicidal behaviours, together with emerging forms of addiction have risen among young people. In this context, innovative solutions such as digital interventions and community-driven approaches are reforming the way mental health services are delivered to the younger generations.
This special issue aims to highlight emerging trends, innovative practices, and multidisciplinary approaches in youth mental health, offering insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.
Aims of the Special Issue
The special issue will cover a wide range of topics in youth mental health, including:
- Emerging Challenges: Examining the influence of high-performance demands, social media, climate change anxiety, as well as identity issues and new struggles on youth mental health.
- Neurobiological Perspectives: Exploring the impact of socio-cultural changes on neural development, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and associated pathways influencing stress responses and mental health outcomes.
- Innovations in Interventions: Highlighting advancements in digital mental health tools, school-based programs, and preventive strategies aimed at early detection in young people.
Dr. Ilaria Riboldi
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- mental health
- adolescent mental health
- young adult
- stress, psychological
- social media
- climate change
- identity development
- digital health
- school health services
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