Key Summary
- The new report from the Youth Futures Foundation identifies four key drivers behind the youth mental health crisis
- They include worsening sleep quality, financial insecurity, social media and smartphone use, and funding cuts in children and youth services
- NHS Confederation official pointed out that mental health issues is not just impacting people's lives, but taking a heavy toll on the economy
NHS Confederation mental health director Rebecca Gray has said the new report from the Youth Futures Foundation "reinforces the deeply worrying trend of rising mental health issues in children and young people."
She said the NHS Confederation members are working hard to meet the needs of the growing number of children and young people experiencing mental health issues.
The report had listed worsening sleep quality, financial insecurity, social media and smartphone use, and funding cuts in children and youth services as the four key drivers behind the youth mental health crisis in England.
The study pointed out that poor sleep is linked with higher rates of depression and anxiety, lower access to stable jobs and careers is leading to financial insecurity, and funding for community services for children and young people in England has declined by 73 per cent since 2010.
The study said that evidence indicates that social media and smartphone use may have a small negative impact on mental health.
Gray said, “As the report reveals, prevention and early intervention in young people is essential to reduce the risk of developing more serious mental illnesses in adulthood, which can affect their ability to find and stay in employment."
She pointed out that mental health issues are not just impacting people's lives, but taking a heavy toll on the economy.
"Our analysis with Boston Consulting Group showed that reintegrating between half and three-quarters of people who have dropped out of the workforce for reasons of ill health since 2020 could generate a multi-billion boost to the UK’s GDP and unlock billions in fiscal revenue over the next five years," she said.
“Providing appropriate mental health support, such as easy-access hubs and mental health services in schools, will be vital to better meet the needs of young people. Our members are supportive of all approaches which identify emerging issues early and respond, with NHS trusts often working in partnership with the voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector to deliver support in schools and communities.”
