Adolescence (age 12 – 24) is a time of rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial development. Because of these changes, adolescents are neither small adults, nor big kids, they are a unique subset of the population.

Adolescence offers a unique opportunity to develop healthy behaviours and make healthy lifestyle choices, which will carry on into adulthood ensuring good health. We should be encouraged that the current generation of adolescents (Gen Z) have the lowest rates of alcohol use, drug use, smoking and sexual activity of any generation measured.

Having said that, we know that 20% of adolescents develop a mental health issue in any year, and 75% of adult mental health issues develop in adolescence. Adolescents who struggle with their weight management have worse school performance, quality of life, and worse health into adulthood. Seemingly simple problems like acne can have disproportionate impact on young people, making them feel unattractive, embarrassed, and self-conscious.

Most adults have forgotten what it is like being an adolescent, we view our youth with rosy retrospection, and we struggle to hear what young people are saying (or not saying).

At The Village Medical Practice, our GPs take adolescent health and wellbeing seriously, because it is a serious matter.