1st March is Self-Injury Awareness Day. The number of young people who self-harm is rising at an alarming rate, and they are starting at an increasingly younger age. Figures show that as many as one in five young people struggle with moderate to severe mental health issues. What is causing this trend, and how can we reverse it? Research shows that schools play a crucial role in prevention," says Imke Baetens, a professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She specialises in the prevention and treatment of emotional and behavioural issues in children and adolescents and is an internationally recognised expert on self-harm among young people.
Is the Mental Wellbeing of Our Youth Really Declining?
Imke Baetens: âSince Covid, weâve seen a sharp rise in psychological distress among young people, both in Flanders and globally. They are experiencing greater psychological stress, including anxiety, depressive feelings, and sleep problems, and are more likely to develop âmaladaptive coping mechanismsââunhealthy ways of dealing with emotions, such as eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. The number of young people experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm has almost doubled. What stands out is that this behaviour is starting at an increasingly younger age. One in three 12- or 13-year-olds reports engaging in self-harming behaviour, and we are even seeing cases in primary school children. More than half of Flemish students say they experienced at least one psychological symptom in the past week. Fortunately, the number of official psychiatric diagnoses, such as clinical depression or anxiety disorders, has not increased to the same extent.â
What explains this trend?
âThe pandemic has had a lasting impact, which isnât surprising. Historically, weâve seen that other pandemics and major global events have had long-term consequences. Covid acted as a catalyst, but other stress factors have since emerged: the wars in Ukraine and Israel, nuclear threats, economic uncertainty, and the increasingly tangible climate crisis. Young people see adults worrying, but they are also highly aware of these issues themselves. Additionally, research shows that young people experience significant academic pressureânot only from parents and teachers but also from online platforms like Smartschool. The pressure never stops, and young people often feel unheard in this.â
âThe rise in self-harming behavioursâfrom eating disorders to self-injury and suicidalityâis at least partly linked to social media.â
Are some young people more vulnerable than others?
"Young people struggling with identity issues and girlsâespecially those from lower socio-economic backgroundsâare at greater risk of psychological vulnerability. Victims of bullying are also a key risk group. However, psychological distress is increasing across all social groups, with a notable peak among young people.â
What role do social media play in this?
"Social media have a dual effect. On the one hand, they offer young people support and a sense of connection, which can improve wellbeing. On the other hand, they can increase the risk of mental health problems. Platforms like TikTok spread a lot of triggering contentâfor example, videos where young people show their self-harm, discuss suicide attempts in detail, or display their anorexic bodies.
TikTok bombards users with content and tailors its algorithm based on viewing time and engagement. Everyone tends to linger slightly longer on shocking videos, even if only for a fraction of a second, which means theyâre shown more of this type of content. Many 10- to 18-year-olds are exposed to such material daily. The rise in self-destructive behavioursâranging from eating disorders to self-harm and suicidalityâis at least partly linked to social media. Moreover, social media often present an idealised version of life, while reality is far from perfect. This can give young people a distorted perception of happiness.â
How Can We Strengthen Young People?
"Having just one person who listens can act as a protective buffer against psychological distress, even in the face of major life challenges such as illness or bullying. Research shows that this person is most effective when they are an adultâa teacher, an aunt, a (grand)parent⌠Friends are important, but the impact of a supportive adult is much greater. That can be an important eye-opener. Even if it sometimes feels otherwise, as a parent, you continue to play a crucial and valuable role. So, prioritise connection: eating meals together, going on holiday, or simply checking in with each other daily can make a big difference.
Guidance on social media use is also essential. For young children, this means monitoring and providing information; for older children, itâs about raising awareness and finding a healthy balance together. Young people under 16 are in a key stage of identity development and social skill-building, and the presence of social media makes this process even more complex. Research clearly shows that triggering content and extreme online harassmentâsuch as deepfake nudesâare major risk factors for mental health issues. Thatâs why I think banning social media for this age group, as has been done in Australia, is a good idea. Iâm very curious to see its effects.â
What Are the Focus Areas of Your Research Group?
"Our expertise centre, PRISM, conducts research into mental health issues among young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities. We investigate which young people are at higher risk of severe mental health problems and what interventions could be effective.
We have several ongoing projects. One major study, in collaboration with Vrij CLB Limburg, has just started with 500 students in Limburg. They will receive four lessons on preventing mental health issues. Along the way, we will assess their subjective wellbeingâhow they feelâwhile also looking at psychological symptoms and emotional regulation skills. Students who report vulnerability will be offered additional training. In cases of serious concerns, we work with parents to find professional help. Another project is the SMARTS study, a VUB Citizen Science initiative in collaboration with Brussels schools, which examines whether sports lessons can help prevent psychological issues. We expect results in 2026. Our research group is looking for widely applicable interventions, not just in Flanders and Brussels but globally. We have collaborative projects in India, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Vietnam, where we are researching low-threshold, cost-effective school-based interventions. Sports may be a promising approach.â
What Role Does Education Play in Young Peopleâs Mental Wellbeing?
"Feeling good is a basic prerequisite for learning. Schools, along with broader society, play a key role in young peopleâs wellbeing. There are even cross-curricular learning objectives dedicated to this. So, it is part of the education systemâs responsibility. That said, teachers are not therapists. However, research shows that schools can make a real difference, particularly in prevention. Preventive measures are most effective when implemented within schools. Consider wellbeing-focused lesson packages, such as our project in Limburg schools. These lessons can be integrated into subjects like ethics, religious studies, or physical education, or delivered through themed days and study hours. Prevention within education is the key to a healthier future for our young people.â
"The First Step for Mental Health Concerns Should Be: Talk to a Friend, a Parent, or a Family Member."
How Are University Students Coping?
*"Since Covid, university and college students have also been experiencing more psychological distress. In 2020, at the request of Caroline Pauwels, we conducted a large-scale psychological screening of all VUB students as part of the âVUB Cares About Youâ project. The results showed a significant rise in mental health issues, with international students and first-generation students being particularly vulnerable.
Together with the Ministry of Education, we have since launched the free platform Moodspace, where Flemish students can access self-help modules on mental wellbeing. More recently, we have started a new study among our students, with results expected in 2026.â*
Are We Focusing Too Much on Mental Wellbeing?
"Recent figures show that young peopleâs mental wellbeing is not improving significantly. The fact that there is so much attention on the issue is positiveâit gives us insight into what previously went unnoticed. Instead of cutting back on wellbeing initiatives, we should be investing in long-term psychological stability for everyone. Wellbeing is essential for performance, both for young people and adults.
At the same time, we need to be cautious about over-psychologising everything. The first step when dealing with mental distress should be to talk to a friend, a parent, or a family member. I feel that this step is sometimes skipped, with people immediately seeking professional help to âhandle it properly.â In many cases, support from your personal network is enough. We need to rebuild a stronger sense of community.â
How Should Schools Handle Self-Harm?
1st March is Self-Injury Awareness Day, and schools are increasingly faced with self-harming behaviour among young people. "The number of cases has almost doubled," says Imke Baetens. "Itâs impossibleâand fortunately, not necessaryâto provide professional treatment for every young person affected. Around a third experiment with self-harm once or a few times, much like others experiment with drugs. However, what is clear is that schools are the ideal setting for prevention. Thatâs why itâs crucial they receive proper guidance in this area." To support schools, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has developed an extensive prevention programme.
Self-Harm Prevention Package for Schools: A practical guide to help schools address the issue, including:
- A step-by-step plan for developing a school protocol.
- A documentary featuring personal experiences from those affected.
- A structured lesson plan for classroom discussions.
- Brochures for parents and young people encountering self-harm.
Two-Day Training: Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention Advisor: Designed for school welfare coordinators and student support staff, this training helps schools develop a tailored prevention strategy. It covers:
- Conversation techniques to approach the topic sensitively.
- Risk assessment tools to identify students in need.
- Referral guidelines and follow-up procedures for at-risk students.
Toolkit for Support Professionals: A comprehensive resource for schools and mental health professionals, including:
- Screening questionnaires to assess risk levels.
- Conversation cards to facilitate discussions.
- Brochures and a documentary featuring first-hand experiences.
"When self-harm starts affecting daily life, professional help is necessary," emphasises Imke Baetens. "Clinically, we define self-harm as occurring more than five times within a year."
"This is a machine translation. We apologise for any inaccuracies."