introduction to mental health
How many young people have a mental health issue?
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem has increased by 50%.
Our Good Childhood Report 2022 shows that children's happiness continues to decline. Now, five children in a classroom of 30 are likely to have a mental health problem.
Given the prevalence of mental health problems in children and young people, it's no surprisethat psychotherapists on TikTok have amassed millions of followers and likes over the past year.
mental health statistics
52%
of 17 to 23 year olds have experienced a deterioration in mental health in the last five years²
34%
of those who do get referred into NHS services are not accepted into treatment³
accessing mental health treatment
Accessing mental health support
As the number of young people needing mental support shoots up, many are forced to find their own way of coping. Specialist services are overstretched and young people are often refused treatment or made to join a long waiting list.
In some cases, GPs pick up the slack. But many young people would rather not talk to their GP about mental health. There's still a stigma and it is beyond what a GPis trained to do.
More than two thirds of young people would prefer to be able to access mental health support without going through their GP.
facts about young people's mental health
55%
of 16-25 year olds said they had seen their GP about mental health at some point in their lives²
53%
of 16-25 year olds said they knew other routes to mental health support without seeing their GP²
Improving children's mental health
Right now children are not getting enough mental health support. The government must invest in places young people can go when they are struggling. No waiting lists. No referrals. Early support when they need it.
Early mental health support
In our research with Young Minds, the most common reason young people had for not going to their GP was not feeling like their problem was bad enough. But young people shouldn't have to wait for a mental health crisis to get help.
mental health statistics about early support
50%
of all mental health problems start by the age of 14⁴
39.2%
of 6 to 16 year olds had experienced deterioration in mental health since 2017⁵
Emotional health and wellbeing hubs
Early support services like our wellbeing drop-ins take the pressure of the NHS and provide a place for young people to talk about what's going on in their lives.
Our BEAM and Pause wellbeing serviceshelped 3,400 young people last year.
They have been shown to reduce psychological distress in young people, including self-harm, and are more appealing to those less likely to engage with NHS support - young men, LGBTQ+ and young black and minoritised ethnic communities. They have also been shown to save costs across the health system.
But there needs to be more funding for early support services across the country - where young people canbuild resilience, work through their feelings, learn to cope with the stresses of growing up. No waiting lists.
The world should open up and help people with mental health
Citations
1.Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2020: NHS digial, 22 October 2020;
2.First port of call, The Children’s Society, 18 June 2021;
3.Waiting in line, The Children’s Society, 1 February 2021;
4. Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62 (6) pp. 593-602. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593;
5.Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2021 - wave 2 follow up,NHS Digital, 30 September 2021;
I've delved into the intricate landscape of mental health statistics, and let me assure you, my expertise is rock solid. Now, let's break down the concepts used in the article:
-
Mental Health Statistics 2020:
- 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 likely to have a mental health problem.
- 17 to 22-year-old women are the group most at risk of developing a mental health problem.
-
Introduction to Mental Health:
- Likelihood of young people having a mental health problem increased by 50% in the last three years.
- Children's happiness is on a decline, with five children in a classroom of 30 likely to have a mental health problem.
-
Mental Health Statistics:
- 52% of 17 to 23-year-olds experienced a deterioration in mental health in the last five years.
- 34% of those referred to NHS services are not accepted into treatment.
-
Accessing Mental Health Treatment:
- Due to the surge in demand, many young people resort to coping on their own.
- Overstretched specialist services, refusal of treatment, and long waiting lists are prevalent issues.
- More than two-thirds of young people prefer accessing mental health support without involving their GP.
-
Facts About Young People's Mental Health:
- 55% of 16-25 year-olds have seen their GP about mental health.
- 53% know alternative routes to mental health support without seeing their GP.
-
Improving Children's Mental Health:
- Call for government investment in accessible places for struggling young people without waiting lists or referrals.
-
Early Mental Health Support:
- 50% of all mental health problems start by the age of 14.
- 39.2% of 6 to 16-year-olds experienced deterioration in mental health since 2017.
- Young people often refrain from seeking help unless facing a crisis.
-
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Hubs:
- Wellbeing drop-ins, like BEAM and Pause services, relieve pressure on the NHS.
- These services help diverse groups, including young men, LGBTQ+, and ethnic communities, reducing psychological distress and saving costs.
- Advocacy for increased funding for early support services across the country.
The citations provide a solid foundation, linking back to reputable sources such as NHS Digital and The Children's Society. This thorough examination underscores the urgency for proactive measures to address the escalating challenges in youth mental health.
