UK Study Highlights Youth Mental Health Crisis
More and more young people in the United Kingdom are suffering from poor mental health, according to a new report.
A report by a group called the Resolution Foundation found that in 2021 and 2022, 34% of people aged 18 to 24 had a common mental health problem like depression or anxiety.
That increased from 24% in 2000. And these mental health problems are affecting young people's work and education.
In fact, the report said people in their early 20s are more likely than people in their early 40s to miss work because of poor health.
In the past, older people were more likely to miss work for health reasons.
The report also said that universities have become "hotbeds for mental health problems." In fact, during the last few years, the number of students suffering from common mental health problems has increased at a faster rate than among young workers or those without a job.
Those who experience mental health problems while in university are also less likely to get a job when they graduate. Between 2018 and 2022, after finishing their studies, 17% of graduates with mental health problems didn't have a job, compared to 9% of graduates without mental health problems.
And the report said young people's problems don't begin at 18. Younger pupils with mental health problems often miss school, which affects their education.
These pupils are then less likely to be able to go to university because of the school time they have missed, which can affect their future job prospects.
