One in Four Young People in England Now Live with a Mental Health Condition
Recent data from the NHS reveals a worrying trend: 25.8% of 16–24-year-olds in England now suffer from common mental health conditions, up from 17.5% in 2007.
That’s more than one in four young people struggling with anxiety, depression, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD and ADHD.
16 -24 year-olds experiencing common mental health conditions such as PTSD, ADHD and self-harm, rose from 17.5% (2007) – 25.8% (2023/24)
An Alarming Growth in Mental Health Issues
- The prevalence of mental health conditions in England jumped from 18.9% (2014) to 22.6% (2023/24) amongst 16-64 year olds.
- Results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023/24 show that women are 20% more likely to suffer than their male counterparts: with 36.1% of young women report experiencing these conditions, compared to 16.3% of young men.
- Rates of self-harm have soared:
- Rising from 6.4% (2014) to 10.3% (2024) in 16–74-year-olds
With 31.7% of young women reporting incidents in contrast with 15.4% of men according to the a study by the NHS Confederation.
Causes Behind the UK Mental Health Crisis
According to the Guardian, experts attribute these increases to a convergence of different pressures with the list below being the primary:
- Job and housing insecurity
- Lingering impact of COVID‑19
- Climate anxiety
- Social media pressures
The Times states, notably that teenage girls face a mental health emergency.
By age 17, 77% report multiple health issues including anxiety and insomnia.
Struggles in Accessing Mental Health Care in the UK
Despite demand hitting record levels, over 150,000 under‑18s have been waiting more than two years to receive NHS mental health treatment.
An estimated 609,000 children and teens are on waiting lists, and one in four are waiting excessively long according to analysis by the Times of NHS research.
What This Means for Your Mental Health Strategy
- Mental Health Awareness & Early Intervention
With mental health challenges rising, early recognition in teens and young adults is essential. Encourage screening in schools and proactive conversations.
- Improving Accessibility with Online NHS Support
The Guardian reports that NHS-backed online therapies are expanding, offering quicker access to support for anxiety, PTSD, and depression. This must scale up to meet soaring demand.
- Investing in Holistic Mental Health Infrastructure
Advocates urge the government to prioritise more funding, reduce waiting times, expand services in schools, and improve youth mental health legislation.
How You Can Take Action Today
- Recognise the signs: Be alert for changes in mood, withdrawal, sleep issues or self-harm, especially among young women.
- Connect quickly: If NHS waiting times are long, explore online therapy options and outreach programmes.
- Demand change: Support movements and charities to increase NHS mental health funding, improve staff availability, and place mental health on par with physical health.
England faces a youth mental health crisis: one in four 16–24-year-olds are currently experiencing a mental health condition.
Across genders, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and long NHS wait times are surging.
Tackling this requires a multifaceted approach: better awareness of the signs in young people, government recognition and reform with increased NHS funding, online therapy options as alternatives to the overwhelmed NHS.
If you or a loved one is affected by any of the issues in this article and need help or guidance you can reach out to the following people:
If you would like to read more about women’s health, you may enjoy the following blog articles.
Endometriosis Treatments, Symptoms & Natural Relief
Medical Cannabis for Women’s Health
Book an online appointment
Lyphe is your patient-first path to wellness, so book an appointment with one of our medical cannabis expert Doctors and get the relief you need.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. We strongly advise readers to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns.
To reflect its medicinal nature rather than recreational use, we prefer the term ‘medical cannabis’ over terms such as ‘marijuana’, “grass”. or ‘dope’ which may carry negative connotations.
The opinions expressed in the blog belong to the respective authors, who are not medical professionals, and may not necessarily align with those of Lyphe Clinic. Lyphe Clinic does not endorse any specific products or services mentioned, except those provided through Lyphe Clinic.
Readers should be aware that the legality of medical cannabis varies by location, and this disclaimer may be subject to periodic updates.
Related Insights
Whilst you’re here you might also like to read…
