A recent analysis conducted by Burgess Hill Girls School sheds light on a stark gender disparity in anxiety disorders among young people in London.
By examining data obtained through freedom of information requests to mental health trusts across England, the study uncovered that women are over 2.5 times more likely than men to experience Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Data from Central, Northwest, and East London mental health trusts, collected over a four-year period, consistently revealed this significant gender gap. Although overall cases declined slightly each year, the female-to-male ratio remained stable.
| Year | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,791 | 3,018 |
| 2022 | 6,976 | 2,757 |
| 2023 | 6,808 | 2,584 |
| 2024 | 6,604 | 2,663 |
| Total | 28,179 | 11,022 |
This pattern was also reflected in the national data from 12 NHS mental health trusts that responded to the request.
| Year | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,333 | 11,562 |
| 2022 | 25,506 | 11,341 |
| 2023 | 26,060 | 11,519 |
| 2024 | 25,948 | 11,507 |
Further breakdown by age highlighted similar trends among those under 18, with girls reporting anxiety disorders at roughly twice the rate of boys.
| Year | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 716 | 337 |
| 2022 | 635 | 290 |
| 2023 | 590 | 237 |
| 2024 | 562 | 255 |
Anne Pithie, Director of Marketing and Communications at Burgess Hill Girls, expressed concern over these findings: “While these figures don’t capture every individual receiving treatment, the pronounced gender disparity is alarming.
It underscores the urgent need for early mental health interventions to support young people before anxiety adversely impacts their wellbeing.”
Pithie also highlighted the benefits of single-sex education in building resilience: “Research from AQR International in 2021 found that girls educated in single-sex environments tend to be mentally tougher, showing higher confidence and better emotional control.
This is likely due to reduced societal pressures and more tailored teaching methods that single-sex settings provide.”
The findings call for a targeted focus on mental health support tailored by gender and age, aiming to reduce the growing burden of anxiety disorders among young women.
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