A new review has identified an increase in mental distress, particularly affecting young people and young women. The review, launched today, suggests that the challenges faced by young people in the 2020s are more significant than anticipated.
The review points to several contributing factors, including the impact of digital voices, which are often confident but lack accountability, making self-understanding more difficult. It also highlights greater uncertainty and insecurity, such as poverty, financial pressures, housing challenges, and concerns about employment prospects. Growing loneliness and reduced opportunities for belonging, rest, recovery, physical activity, and connection are also cited.
Despite these findings, the review offers hope, stating that the mental distress of young people can be alleviated. It suggests that talking, participating, having friends, getting an education, securing a job, and making the most of one's talents are beneficial. The review also highlights the negative impacts of social media on sleep, cyberbullying, and harmful content, noting that 55% of characteristics presented in 100 popular ADHD TikTok videos did not align with established criteria.
The government has invested in various initiatives, including £2.5 billion to address youth unemployment and £39 billion in housing. Additionally, the National Youth Strategy is allocating over £500 million to expand community support. Plans are also in place to expand Healthy Babies services across England and Mental Health Support Teams to every school and college by 2029. Early Support Hubs are being invested in to provide earlier help in communities, aiming for at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions for young people this year.