Mental health review head rejects snowflake label
The gist
Prof Peter Fonagy said his mental health review dismisses the idea of a snowflake generation.
About one in four 16 to 24-year-olds now struggle, so services face pressure.
How it unfolded
- Mar 31, 2026The review's interim report, applying to England, was published; it found population evidence shows rising distress among younger people, while administrative diagnoses for ADHD and autism have grown faster than relatively stable population-based prevalence estimates.
- Sep 21, 2026Prof Peter Fonagy, head of the review, told the BBC the review dismisses the idea of a snowflake generation and that a real rise in mental distress among children and young people is under way.
- Sep 21, 2026An Instagram reel quoted Fonagy: 'To the person who says it's a snowflake generation, just live just 24 hours as a 16 year old.'