Mental illness is the leading cause of disability among young people accounting for nearly half of the overall burden of disease between 10 and 24 years of age. It is estimated that by 2030 mental illness will have a greater global economic impact than any other medical condition. Unfortunately, prevention research into mental illness has lagged far behind conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
75% of mental disorders have already started in some form before age 25. This developmental timing of onset of mental disorder in youth (unlike other illnesses ) means that there is a disproportionate effect on social, educational and vocational outcomes and contributes to the global economic burden. There is an urgent need for a new approach to tackle mental disorder among young people but there is a paucity of evidence about the etiological mechanisms and presentation of mental illness in youth. Current diagnostic systems are based on adult disorder but early presentations are often undifferentiated and don’t correspond to classical diagnostic systems. This poses challenges for early intervention.
This current proposal seeks to investigate, in a large population-based cohort, the presentation, etiological mechanisms, developmental course and outcomes of psychological symptoms in youth. The Growing Up in Ireland study has data on almost 20,000 young people in Ireland in two related cohorts who have been followed up over 12 years. This cohort is the result of a large investment by the Irish government. We will use advanced statistical techniques to model the clustering and progression of psychopathology from early childhood to early adulthood. We have a detailed a progressive dissemination plan to communicate the results of our findings to young people, the public, service providers and policy makers. In this way the information will benefit the lives of young people not just in Ireland but internationally.
