Dr. Harry Barry:

Smartphones are playing a massive role in this. One has to look at, for example, the effects of pornography and forced sexual activity on girls because of pornography. Boys and girls are comparing each other and every facet of their lives, particularly their appearances, continuously. Of course, they are anxious because they are creating this virtual world which is a completely false world. Then they are trying to live in the real world and cannot match the two together. As a result, they get incredibly anxious.

Alcohol is a massive issue. We all know Ireland has an alcohol problem. We have to be cognisant of the fact that the earlier one starts drinking, the more likely one will damage the dopamine system in one’s brain. Children drinking heavily under the age of 15 are far more likely to develop further addiction problems when they reach adult life.

One other area I would pick out is cannabis or hash. It is a sneaky one and we are not aware of it. The kind of cannabis used now is much stronger and much more likely to affect the brain. Those are key factors but I would go for anxiety as the number one condition.