Professor Peter Fonagy, a leading expert in mental health and the main author of a significant upcoming government report, has rejected the idea that today’s young people are overly sensitive or fragile, often described as a "snowflake generation." Instead, he argues that being young today is far more challenging than it was in previous generations. Speaking ahead of the release of a government-commissioned review on ADHD, autism, and mental health, Fonagy emphasized that there has been a real and measurable increase in mental health issues among young people, and he called for urgent improvements in support systems. He criticized the National Health Service (NHS) for not being equipped to meet the current demand, noting that many young people face long delays in accessing mental health care. The report is expected to highlight a significant rise in mental health conditions among children and young people, with around one in four 16 to 24-year-olds currently experiencing some form of mental health issue. Fonagy acknowledged that young people today face serious challenges that he believes would have been difficult for him to deal with at their age. He suggested that many adults may have failed to provide adequate support and that this generation might be the first to feel that their children will have a worse life than they do. To challenge the "snowflake generation" stereotype, he said, "just try living 24 hours as a 16-year-old." Despite the challenges, Fonagy expressed admiration for how young people have adapted to a much more difficult environment than he experienced. He encouraged them to recognize that feelings of anxiety, depression, or distress are real and can be addressed with the right support. He also shared that when he needed help in the past, he received it and wanted the same opportunity for everyone else. The BBC reported that the study will also show an increase in youth loneliness over the past two decades, which Fonagy linked to increased use of mobile phones and social media. He decided to speak publicly before the report’s release to contribute to the ongoing discussions about autism and ADHD. His comments follow a survey of over 800 general practitioners by the medical magazine Pulse, which found that seven in 10 doctors believe ADHD is being overdiagnosed.