Youth violence and mental health crisis spark expert warnings

Experts are raising alarms regarding the rising levels of violence among youth, highlighting a complex interplay of psychological and social factors. Key drivers include mental health struggles, experiences with peer violence, and the intense pressure to gain notoriety through social media and dangerous internet challenges.

In Poland, psychiatrist Aleksandra Lewandowska has criticized public discourse that blames “stress-free upbringing” or lack of discipline for aggressive behavior. She argues that such views ignore the measurable reality that aggressive or criminal actions are often rooted in previous experiences of violence, including domestic abuse and social exclusion.

There is also a growing call for educational institutions to modernize their safety protocols. Experts suggest that standard evacuation drills are insufficient for contemporary threats, advocating instead for comprehensive cooperation procedures between schools, the police, and emergency services to address both physical and psychological risks.