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In this video I’m talking with Dr Will Dobud about something I’ve barely touched on before: youth mental health.

Anxiety, depression, self-harm and distress in teenagers are reported to have risen dramatically in recent years, even as diagnoses, services and medications have increased. Will and I explore why that might be and, crucially, what actually helps.

Will is a social worker, therapist, educator and researcher based in Australia, and co-author (with Dr Nevin Harper) of the book “Kids These Days”, which I highly recommend if you’re interested in youth mental health and what adults can realistically do to support young people.

In this conversation we talk about:

* Why distress in teenagers appears to be rising and why “kids these days” might not be the real problem
* Social media, phone bans and whether banning tech actually improves mental health
* Loneliness, “engagement problems” and why so many young people feel unseen even when surrounded by others at school
* Outdoor and adventure-based therapy, and how mastery and success experiences support wellbeing
* Labels, self-diagnosis and identity, including the risks of young people becoming their diagnosis
* The importance of relationship and connection in therapy and in families
* Parents’ and caregivers’ own anxiety and histories, and how that shapes how we respond to teens
* How everyday activities, rituals and shared experiences can build stronger relationships with young people

I really hope this feels supportive whether you’re a parent, carer, therapist, teacher or simply someone who cares about the young people in your life.

You can find more about Will and his work here:
Kids These Days book and resources: (https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com)
Will’s website: (https://www.willdobud.com)
The Celebrate Everyday video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16YtPy4tJM/

✅ If you're thinking about exploring therapy generally, I’d love to hear from you and you’re very welcome to get in touch with me via my website (https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk) to find out more or to arrange an initial conversation.

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