Sharp deterioration in girls’ mental health

An unprecedented decline in mental health took place among girls in the Netherlands between 2017 and 2021. Researchers write this in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) report, which presents the results of 20 years of research into the well-being and health of young people in the Netherlands. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the report will be presented to Her Majesty Queen Máxima during the symposium 'Jong in de 21ste eeuw'. Lead researcher Gonneke Stevens of Utrecht University: 'Between 2017 and 2021, the percentage of girls in secondary education with emotional problems increased from 28 to 43 %. Among girls in 8th grade, this increased from 14 to 33 % during this period. There is also cause for concern in other areas.' Girls in 2021 reported not only many more emotional problems than four years earlier, but also more behavioural problems and hyperactivity/attention problems.