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  • Young people need change, and they need it now.

    This report aims to shine a light on the young people’s mental health crisis. It amplifies the voices of tens of thousands of young people who shared their experiences of the world around them.

  • Five key focus areas for change

    These voices have helped us to identify five broad areas where change is needed, outlined in each chapter of this report.

  • Young people have spoken.

    Now it's up to us to put their words into action.

  • Chapter one Social systems and structures

    Statistics

    ( of )
    52%

    of young people's place of education negatively affects their mental health.

    90%

    of young people worry about earning enough money.

    7%

    of young people feel Government will make the right decisions for their future.

    50%

    of young Black people say police and law enforcement negatively impact their mental health.

    70%

    of young people are negatively impacted by the media.

    12%

    Only 12% think the Government takes young people's mental health seriously.

  • Chapter two Mental health services

    Statistics

    ( of )
    59%

    of young people said their mental health got worse during the wait for support.

    15%

    of young people attempted to end their life during the wait for support.

    32%

    of Trans young people attempted to take their own lives while waiting for support.

    84%

    of young people with health conditions had looked for mental health support.

    1 year

    Young Black people were the most likely ethnic group to be waiting more than a year for support.

    70%

    On average, more than 70% of young people had sought mental health support in the last two years.

  • Chapter three Social inequality and discrimination

    Statistics

    ( of )
    77%

    of young Muslims have experienced Islamophobia.

    33%

    of young Black people have experienced class inequality, compared to 19% of young people overall.

    78%

    of Non-binary young people have experienced homophobia.

    34%

    of young people with a health condition or illness have experienced ableism.

    72%

    of females have experienced sexism.

    71%

    On average, 71% of Black and racialised young people have experienced racism.

  • Chapter four Global issues and their impact on young people

    Statistics

    ( of )
    87%

    of young people worry about climate change.

    82%

    of young people worry about big political issues like war and conflict.

    66%

    of young people are always or often worried about the personal impact of the pandemic.

  • Chapter five Social pressures and relationships

    Statistics

    ( of )
    81%

    of young people believe that wider society has an impact on mental health.

    93%

    of young people worry about loneliness and isolation.

    71%

    of young people are negatively impacted by public attitudes.

    68%

    believe that their friends affect their mental health positively.

    85%

    of young people feel pressured to do what society expects of them.

    14%

    Black and racialised young people are 14% less likely than white young people to feel their feelings are accepted by elders.

  • Conclusion and next steps

    This report is a clear call to action from young people. It's time to take action and create change.