10.G. Workshop: Investigating risk and protective factors for youth mental health using population-based datasets

Abstract

Abstract Mental health problems are increasing among young people both in Ireland and worldwide and the causes of this increase are not known. This workshop will focus on large population based datasets which provide recent and comprehensive information on the mental health of young people, including the Growing Up in Ireland study, the Planet Youth study and the ALSPAC cohort. We will present recent data on prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents and we will present data on possible risk factors and protective factors for mental health problems in youth. We will focus on the possible role played by the COVID pandemic in this observed increase. We will also present data relating to substance use including cannabis use and diet . We will explore trajectories of psychopathology between childhood and adolescence and incidence and persistence of psychotic experiences in youth. This workshop will be a chance to bring together researchers and clinicians working in this important area to discuss the issue of youth mental health which will have importance not just for Ireland but for other countries worldwide. Key messages • An increase in mental health problems among young people has been observed over recent years but the causes for this increase are not known. • There is an urgent need to identify risk and protective factors for mental health problems among youth and how these are changing over time.