According to the expert, mental health disorders among young people are on the rise. This is mainly due to social pressure, the overuse of social media and a certain lack of family structure. “Adolescence and youth are stages full of challenges, but at the same time, it is a critical period for the formation of identity in young people when they have not yet reached their full development on a cerebral, emotional and cognitive level,” she adds. All of this means that they may feel somewhat confused and experience a sense of unease which, if mismanaged, can lead to various mental health problems.

Fernández-Capo also pointed out that not all people suffering from this type of disorder ask for help. In the case of the new generations, “They are more open to talking about mental health and seeking help, although there are still barriers that may prevent some young people from seeing a specialist, such as fear of stigma, lack of available resources or the perception that their problems are not serious enough". Therefore, the director of the department of Psychology has insisted on the need to continue working on education and raising awareness so that everyone feels comfortable asking for help when they need it

In Spain, one in four people have or will have a mental health problem in their lifetime, with cases of anxiety and depression currently on the rise. Although the origin is usually multi-causal and varies from one person to another, the psychologist noted that “a genetic predisposition, stress caused by lifestyle, conflicts in relationships or economic difficulties” are risk factors for mental health problems. Early detection is essential to avoid a worsening of symptoms, and therefore political and health strategies are increasingly committed to investing resources in prevention. As Fernández-Capo reminds us, people can also improve their mental health by "developing healthy habits and working to give existential meaning to their lives".