And now it seems that young people who talk about anxiety or depression are being dismissed as ‘snowflakes’.
Apparently, youngsters are too sensitive, too easily upset and unable to cope with everyday life.
But I wonder how many of those making such judgements have stopped to ask what life actually feels like for a young person today.
Professor Peter Fonagy, who led a government-commissioned review of mental health, ADHD and autism, found that growing up amid social media pressures, financial insecurity and the after-effects of Covid can be harder than previous generations appreciate.
Improving the mental health of young people in Brent is also one of the borough’s biggest challenges.
Brent Council’s latest mental health needs assessment estimates around 18,016 children and young people aged five to 25 may have a probable mental disorder.
Brent also recorded around 81 mental health hospital admissions per 100,000 under-18s, compared with a London average of 63.
These are not just statistics but real children who live in our community.
This is why I organised a mental health workshop for local parents and carers.
The aim was to help adults recognise the early warning signs of poor mental health and feel better equipped to respond.
Zaffar Van Kalwala calls for greater understanding of young people’s mental health (Image: Zaffar Van Kalwala)
Changes in sleeping patterns, mood, appetite, friendships or school attendance can be easy to dismiss as normal teenage behaviour.
Sometimes they are.
Sometimes they are a quiet request for help.
The workshop was also about opening up conversations that too often never happen.
In some households, mental health is still something people are reluctant to talk about.
But children should know they can speak openly without being labelled difficult or weak.
We should listen without judgement and encourage all residents to seek help before problems escalate.
Schools, GPs, youth organisations and local services all have a part to play.
And those services need the resources to respond when families reach out.
Of course, young people also need to be resilient.
Supporting their mental health does not mean shielding them from every disappointment.
It means making sure they have the skills to deal with life’s challenges.
Brent’s young people are not weak.
Instead of calling them snowflakes, perhaps it’s time we asked how we can help them flourish.
Zaffar Van Kalwala is a former Brent councillor.