Skip to main content
wide-shot-of-five-young-people-talking-and-smiling-while-walking-in-a-park-with-trees

Mental health statistics

Young people’s mental health and wellbeing has never been so important. These statistics show just how big the problem is for young people in the UK.

Mental health is a big issue for young people

  • In 2023, one in five children and young people aged eight to 25 had a probable mental health condition. This number has been rising since 2017, most notably in the 17-19 age group.1

  • The number of children and young people referred to emergency mental healthcare rose by 10% between 2023 and 2024, with many of these young people being stuck on waiting lists for NHS support for months and years.2

  • Suicide was the leading cause of death for people aged 5-35 in England in 2022. Around three quarters were boys or young men.3

  • Almost one third (32.8%) of 17-24 year olds have self-harmed or attempted to self-harm at some point. This rises significantly to 69.5% of young people with a probable mental health condition.1

  • The cost of living in the UK places a huge strain on the mental health of young people, with a huge 90% of young people worrying about earning enough money to support themselves.4

A young Black man sitting on the ground in the park and staring into the camera.
One in five
young people aged 8-25 had a probable mental health condition in 2023.

It has a big impact on several areas of their lives, and can continue into adulthood

  • Almost a third (30%) of 11-16 year olds with a probable mental health condition missed a week or more of school in 2023 (compared to 10% of their peers without a mental health condition)1, and 74% of teachers believe that poor mental health is negatively impacting their pupils’ ability to learn.5

  • 85% of young people aged 8-16 with a probable mental health condition experienced regular disruption to their sleep – and this rose to 96% of young people aged 17-23.1

  • 35% of 18-24 year olds in employment reported needing to take time off work due to poor mental health or stress.6

  • One third of mental health problems in adulthood are directly connected to an adverse childhood experience (ACE).7
30%
of 11-16 year olds with a probable mental health condition missed a week or more of school in 2023.
A person thinking, sat on the sofa.

It’s getting harder for young people to access the support they need

  • In 2023/24, there were 78,577 young people waiting over a year for mental health treatment from the NHS, with 44% of these were waiting over two years. This has risen significantly since 2022/23.8
  • Long waiting times for support have negative consequences: 59% of young people report their mental health getting worse during the wait for support.4
  1. Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023 - wave 4 follow up to the 2017 survey - NHS England Digital
  2. The Guardian: Urgent referrals of children in mental health crisis in England rise
  3. Papyrus: Under 35s Statistics England
  4. YoungMinds: Deconstructing the system, Mental Health Report
  5. YoungMinds: Poor mental health support is impacting learning
  6. Mental Health UK: The Burnout Report 2025
  7. Kessler, R. (2010) ‘Childhood adversities and adult psychopathology in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys’ British Journal of Psychiatry 197(5): 378–385.
  8. YoungMinds: Increase in youth waiting over a year for support

More about YoungMinds

Find out more about YoungMinds and how you can help support our cause.

Website by Element78 (opens in new window)