Irish youngsters are among the least satisfied with their lives in the EU, new research has shown.
The report from Unicef ranks the country in the top third for child wellbeing but shows young people are struggling with their mental health.
Suicide, unhappiness, obesity and poor social and academic skills have all become common for kids in high-earning countries.
Ireland scored well for academic and social skills – sixth – but 17th for physical health and 26th for mental well-being were worryingly low.
It also showed that more than six in 100,000 Irish teens between 15 and 19 die by suicide.
Unicef Ireland chief Peter Power said: “Investing in child wellbeing brings reliable and
positive outcomes in the long-term and it is the right thing to do.
“Despite improvements, we are once again raising concern about the mental health of young people in Ireland, a significant percentage of whom report low levels of life satisfaction.
“This outcome is not inevitable. We need to address the causes.”
“We must study the lessons learned during the last recession, when
children bore the brunt of austerity measures.
“The Government must continue to invest in child wellbeing during this period.”
