Growing up in dirty air 'quadruples chances of developing depression'

[Morgen]

Children who lived in areas with higher air pollution when younger are significantly more likely to have developed major depression by the age of 18, according to research.

In the first analysis of how common air pollutants affect teenage mental health, researchers found young people were three to four times more likely to have depression at 18 if they had been exposed to dirtier air at age 12. Comparison with earlier work indicates that air pollution is a greater risk factor than physical abuse in raising the risk of teenage depression.

The scientists said their findings are particularly significant because 75% of mental health problems begin in childhood or adolescence, when the brain is developing rapidly. The work also suggests a link between toxic air and antisocial behaviour, but more work is needed to confirm this. A larger study is expected later this year.
...
Levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution are at illegal levels in most urban parts of the UK and small particle pollution exceeds World Health Organization guidelines in many places. The government accepts dirty air shortens lives and harms children, but its latest action plan on roadside pollution was described as “pitiful” by environmental lawyers.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/30/children-exposed-to-air-pollution-more-likely-to-develop-depression

[Owlz!]

Christ. If that's the case, I must've inhaled hella amounts of nitrogen dioxide when I was twelve.

[Sableye]

There's a level of dickensian irony with statistics showing that children who grow up surrounded by industrial pollution will grow up sad and depressed because of it.

[SundayRoast]

Here in Finland we have some of the cleanest air on earth, but the people are still depressed as all hell.

[Janus Vesta]

Yeah but it's also Finland. It's cold and dark all the time, which bothers most people.

[MrJazzy]

I wonder if its actually cause of the air itself or the industrial surroundings, the unclean air part being coincidental. People who live in beautiful places tend to be happier.

[SundayRoast]

Nothing quite like going to work/school before sunrise, staying inside the faculties for 8 hours and leaving home after the sun has already gone down.

[Demache]

Yep. At least here, its getting to the point that sunset is 6 pm so its not completely awful. Though I'm always pretty miserable and depressed around winter. Staying inside for months on end just isn't good for you mentally.

[AtomicWaffle]

I wonder if it might also have something to do with living in cities.

[MadLad]

Nature is quite literally the human life force. Just more incentive to preserve it.

[Morgen]

If people are still depressed as hell in Finland then the rest of us are screwed.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/14/finland-happiest-country-world-un-report

[Tureis.]

Grew up in Bakersfield, guess that explains a lot.

[MrJazzy]

The issue comes down to how you define happiness. You can be "happy" with your rights, liberty, social support systems, so on and so on and still be depressed.

[Crumpets]

sounds like winter in the north of england to me