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Inside Netflix's Adolescence: Mental Health Specialists Explore the Real-Life Issues
- Schoen Clinic UK
- Mar 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Netflix’s Adolescence is more than just a crime drama—it is a heart-wrenching exploration of mental health, masculinity, family dynamics, and the impact of online radicalisation on young minds. The series, created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, examines the tragic journey of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the brutal murder of his classmate.
What follows is a harrowing deep dive into the psychological, social, and familial factors that culminate in this shocking act of violence. Each episode is filmed in a single continuous take, immersing the audience in the raw intensity of Jamie’s experiences and interactions.
To explore the real-life issues reflected in Adolescence, we spoke with two experts from Schoen Clinic Chelsea: Amrita Mahal; Speech, Language & Communication Therapist and Dr Hazel Fernandes; Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist. Their insights shed light on the psychological and social dynamics at play in the show, and in the lives of many young people today.
If you're looking for mental health support for a child or teen please don't hesitate to contact us.
*** Warning! This article contains major spoilers! ***
Understanding Jamie’s mindset in Adolescence: A psychological perspective
One of the most compelling aspects of Adolescence is its focus on the ‘why’ rather than the ‘who’—a storytelling approach that shifts the narrative from a crime mystery to a psychological case study. From the outset, Jamie appears to be an ordinary, if somewhat insecure, teenage boy. However, as the series unfolds, it becomes evident that he struggles with severe self-esteem issues, social rejection, and a desperate need for validation, particularly from his father, Eddie.
At the beginning of the show, the audience learns that Jamie had been relentlessly bullied, both in school and online, where he was mocked and labelled an “incel.” Short for "involuntary celibate," the term originally referred to people who struggle to form romantic or sexual relationships, but it has since become associated with an online subculture that promotes misogynistic and extremist views.
While Jamie initially appears to be a victim of name-calling and trolling, the series later reveals that his engagement with these harmful online spaces goes far deeper. By the end of the show, it becomes clear that Jamie has indeed been radicalised by these communities, absorbing their toxic worldview and reinforcing his growing resentment.
This raises a difficult question: Did Jamie turn to these extremist online forums as a reaction to the bullying, seeking a space where he felt understood? Or was the bullying itself a response to an ideology that he had already begun to embrace? The show leaves this open to interpretation, forcing viewers to confront the cyclical nature of social alienation and radicalisation.
What is clear, however, is that Jamie’s descent is shaped by a complex interplay of personal vulnerability, external mistreatment, and the unregulated digital spaces that prey on impressionable minds. His sense of isolation, frustration and anger ultimately leads to his violent outburst, demonstrating the devastating consequences of untreated emotional distress, bullying, and toxic online influences.
The role of family: parental influence and emotional support
Throughout the series, the Miller family is portrayed as loving yet fractured. Eddie, Jamie’s father, is a hardworking man who struggles to express affection, while his mother, Manda, does her best to hold the family together. Despite their good intentions, the Millers fail to recognise the extent of Jamie’s inner turmoil until it is too late.
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Hazel Fernandes underscores the role of parenting in shaping adolescent emotional wellbeing: “Parenting, in my opinion, is the single most deciding factor on how a child will behave in the early years.” However, she also acknowledges the impact of external factors in today’s very digital world… “It takes a village to raise a child, but unfortunately, the present-day village includes social media and online content.”
This aspect of the show raises critical questions about parenting and emotional availability - how much do parents truly know about their children’s struggles and how can they create an environment where open discussions about mental health are encouraged?
Speech, Language & Communication Therapist, Amrita Mahal suggests a better understanding of communication is key to nurturing a more open environment. “Communication isn’t just about words, it’s about tone, body language and even avoidance behaviours. The show also highlights digital communication as an area where meaning can be easily misinterpreted. The investigating officer in Adolescence struggles to understand the significance of certain emojis until his teenage son explains it to him. This moment highlights how digital communication can create gaps in understanding, particularly across generations.”
Eddie’s journey in Adolescence is particularly poignant. His reaction to his son’s crime shifts from disbelief to sorrow and, ultimately, to guilt. In one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the series, Eddie tucks Jamie’s teddy bear into bed and apologises to it as though speaking to his son. This moment encapsulates the grief of a parent who feels they have failed their child - a sentiment that many real-life parents of troubled teenagers can relate to.
Dr Fernandes emphasises the importance of parents practising self-compassion when seeking help for a child requiring support for their mental health, “We cannot move forward if we hold on to the past. Whether it is eating disorders, neurodiverse conditions, depression or anxiety, what is important [for parents] to be open to suggestions and be open to forgiving themselves.” The series doesn’t place blame on the Millers but rather highlights how mental health struggles can often go unnoticed, even in seemingly stable households.
The intersection of masculinity and mental health
A central theme of Adolescence is the examination of masculinity and how societal expectations shape young men’s emotional development. Jamie, like many boys his age, grapples with ideas of strength, dominance and acceptance. “For boys in particular,” explains Amrita Mahal, “societal norms around masculinity often discourage vulnerability, leading to emotional suppression rather than open communication.”
The show challenges the traditional notion that boys should suppress their emotions and ‘tough it out,’ showcasing instead how this mindset can be harmful. Amrita continues, “Encouraging emotional expression from an early age, particularly in boys, can help break the cycle of suppression that leads to communication breakdowns later in life.”
By addressing these issues, Adolescence encourages an important conversation about redefining masculinity in a way that allows boys and men to express emotions healthily.
The impact of online radicalisation on adolescent mental health
One of the most disturbing aspects of Jamie’s story is his indoctrination into online incel ideology. The series portrays how young individuals, particularly those struggling with social anxiety and self-worth, can be drawn into extremist online communities that validate their worst fears and reinforce destructive beliefs. Jamie’s obsession with these toxic narratives distorts his perception of reality, leading him to lash out in a violent act that he cannot take back.
Amrita Mahal adds that communication difficulties can make young people more vulnerable to radicalisation: “Teenagers who struggle with language and communication are vulnerable. The language used in radical online spaces can feel structured and validating to someone who has experienced rejection in real life.
If a young person lacks the communication skills to critically analyse these messages or discuss their feelings with a trusted adult, they may become more susceptible to harmful ideologies.”
This element of Adolescence serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unmoderated digital spaces and the importance of media literacy. It underscores the need for parents, educators and mental health professionals to be aware of the online environments that young people navigate daily. Dr Fernandes adds, “Social media and online communities influence can be minimised by carers/parents taking responsibility for the children they are responsible for. Early childhood is a time for providing children with a template for adult life.”
Open conversations about healthy self-esteem, relationships and online safety can help prevent vulnerable adolescents from falling into harmful ideological traps.
Guilt, accountability and the path to acceptance
Jamie’s decision to change his plea to guilty in the final episode marks a significant shift in his psychological journey.
After initially denying his actions, he comes to accept the gravity of his crime. This turning point, while tragic, also signals a form of personal growth, an acknowledgement of responsibility that allows him to confront his actions, even if it is too late to change them.
For Eddie and Manda, Jamie’s guilty plea is both a heartbreaking loss and a moment of reckoning. They must face the reality of their son’s actions while grappling with their own feelings of guilt and helplessness.
Their emotional struggle serves as a powerful exploration of how families cope with trauma, grief and the realisation that love alone isn't always enough to prevent tragedy.
Conclusion: a call for greater mental health awareness in young people
Adolescence is more than just a gripping drama, it is a crucial commentary on mental health, toxic masculinity and the unseen battles that many young people face. By shedding light on these complex issues, the series prompts viewers to reflect on how society can better support teenagers who feel lost, alienated or unheard.
“Early intervention in teaching communication skills can be a lifeline,” says Amrita, “Adolescents need explicit guidance on how to express emotions, ask for clarification and engage in difficult conversations. Therapists and educators can use role-play, visual supports and structured language models to help young people develop confidence in expressing their feelings.”
The show’s message is clear: mental health awareness, early intervention and open communication are essential in preventing tragedies like Jamie’s. Whether it is through increased parental involvement, mental health education in schools or better regulation of harmful online spaces, Adolescence makes a compelling case for why these conversations need to happen now more than ever.
Dr Fernandes offers a final piece of advice for parents, “Parents and carers need to emphasise resilience and maintain a similar approach to managing bullying, open conversations are important, open-mindedness on the parents part to not rush to judgement. Secrecy is disempowering and mitigating risks is more effective than ignoring that risks exist.”
As the final scene fades to black, leaving Eddie in his son’s bedroom, the weight of the series lingers. It is a poignant reminder that mental health struggles, if left unaddressed, can have devastating consequences—not just for the individuals experiencing them but for everyone around them.
Adolescence urges us all to look closer, listen more intently and never underestimate the importance of reaching out before it is too late.
Thank you to Dr Hazel Fernandes and Amrita Mahal of Schoen Clinic Chelsea, for their expert insight for this article, and to Netflix for delivering an outstanding show that brings countless important issues into the spotlight.
If you need support for a child or teen with a mental health condition or are seeking support yourself as a parent or carer, please don't hesitate to contact our caring team in London.