Debate: Are we overpathologising young people's mental health? Research shows otherwise – mental health conditions are not being recognised or diagnosed in healthcare settings

2025/07/31 by Kapil Sayal, Rachel M. Hiller · 1 voice
Health Professions · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child Welfare and Adoption #Child and Adolescent Health #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/camh.70019

openalex publication_date 2025/07/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

Over recent years, there have been increasing societal, political and media concerns in relation to the 'over-diagnosis' and 'self-diagnosis' of common mental health conditions or emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Using two large research projects as illustrative examples, we highlight that there is a mismatch between concern about 'over-pathologising' young people's mental health and the recognition and diagnosis of emotional mental health conditions in health and care settings. Concerns around labelling risks us losing a shared understanding and language around mental health and mental health care, within services, between sectors, and for young people and families.

Citations

• The clinical and cost effectiveness of a STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties: the STADIA multi‐centre randomised controlled trial
• Barriers and facilitators to using standardised diagnostic assessments in child and adolescent mental health services: a qualitative process evaluation of the STADIA trial

Discussions

• Debate section in this month’s @acamh.bsky.social CAMH journal: Are we over-pathologising young people's mental health? With Rachel Hiller, our perspective: “Research shows otherwise – mental healt [bsky, 5 points, 0 comments]

Related

• Debate: How much should nonspecialists be involved in mental health care for children and young people when resources are limited? Working with police forces to improve mental health crisis care for young people
• Debate: How much should nonspecialists be involved in mental health care for children and young people when resources are limited?
• Debate: Where to next for universal school‐based mental health interventions? Addressing the mental health crisis among young people in low‐ and middle‐income countries
• Ill-defined: Concepts of mental health and illness are becoming broader, looser, and more benign
• Early Clinical Phenotypes and Risk for Serious Mental Disorders in Young People: Need for Care Precedes Traditional Diagnoses in Mood and Psychotic Disorders