Struggling with challenges of modern life

Sir, - Many older folks are distressed and saddened to hear that so many of our young people have been diagnosed as suffering from depression.

We are aware that the challenges of life for young people are very different from those in our day.

For example, we had no mobile phones, so escaped the hurtful messages that distress some of our young ones today.

We certainly had to cope with spoken challenges but somehow we could cope with these better in the company of our friends.

A hurtful message received on a mobile in isolation must cut much more deeply.

Many modern pop songs seem to be mostly telling of sadness and lost loves.

What could be wrong with singing about a warm, stable love affair?

How can we persuade people to drag their faces out of their mobiles for a moment, long enough to see what actually goes on around them?

I recall clearly an incident when I was about 11 years old, and complained about some problem to my big brother (who was only two years my senior).

His wise reply was: ‘You think too much about yourself. Try looking out and think more about other people.’

I tried to carry out that good advice and with the help of Sunday School and what it led to, I followed a route that has allowed me to go confidently through life with all its challenges.

I wish somehow these sad young ones could learn that there is a way. Dr Norma Smith. 7 Adelaide Terrace, Dundee.

Picture: Getty Images. Many young people report feelings of isolation.