Using longitudinal data from a large cohort of Australian adolescents, this study examines changes in depression, psychological distress and anxiety symptoms; associations between symptoms and social determinants; and interactions between social determinants and effects on symptoms. The study highlights the need to address adolescent mental health in public health policy, research and practice.

This study examines longitudinal behaviour change of adolescents in six key lifestyle behaviours – sleep, physical activity (PA), sedentary recreational screen time, diet, alcohol use, and tobacco use – and associations with mental health. The results highlight the potential benefits of behaviour modification to reduce the progression of psychological distress in adolescence.

The findings outlined in this article suggest policy-makers and clinicians should not discount the potentially ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on individual and population mental health, particularly for people who were adolescent, pregnant, post-partum during the pandemic, or were hospitalised with COVID-19.