Premorbid, developmental, and transgenerational: rethinking prevention in youth mental health

Redefining early intervention through neurodevelopmental and transgenerational lenses can shift the focus from late-stage mitigation to true upstream prevention. Such an approach would better integrate health, education, and social care systems to identify and proactively support at-risk youth and families, reducing cumulative risk and fostering resilience. In line with the vision of the Second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, safeguarding adolescent mental health must begin in the formative early years—within family systems, early caregiving environments, and through timely recognition of developmental warning signs.