A groundbreaking study has revealed that one in five young people in Britain now receive specialist mental health care by the time they turn 18, marking a significant shift in youth mental health trends.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from Wales, which is thought to reflect broader UK trends, showing a fourfold increase in children using mental health services over the past two decades. Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the study suggests that while the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a decline in youth mental health, the trend began well before the pandemic, with a noticeable rise in service use beginning around 2010.
The research tracked children born between 1991 and 2005 to assess how many had accessed NHS child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) before their 18th birthday. The results show that while fewer than 6% of children born in 1991 used CAMHS, more than 20% of those born in 2005 had done so. Teenagers, particularly, showed the highest rates of service usage, with the number of girls accessing services nearly double that of boys by 2022.
Professor Ian Kelleher, leader of the study and a child and adolescent psychiatry expert at the University of Edinburgh, said, “This study provides the clearest picture yet of the soaring demand for CAMHS. While the pandemic exacerbated issues, this trend has been steadily building for over a decade.”
In a related study, University of Manchester psychologists identified several contributing factors to the mental health decline among young people, including poor sleep quality, economic pressures, reduced access to youth services, and the rise of social media and smartphone use. They also found that young women and girls are particularly affected, with increased instances of low mood linked to discrimination, academic pressures, and extended social media engagement.
Dr. Ola Demkowicz, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Manchester, emphasized that the worsening mental health trends are real and should not be dismissed as mere changes in how young people identify or report mental health issues.
Jeremy Bernhaut, director of policy and practice at Mental Health UK, highlighted the urgency of providing timely mental health support to young people. He noted, “Poor mental health often begins in adolescence, and without rapid intervention, these issues can become lifelong struggles.”
An NHS spokesperson responded to the findings, stating, “The NHS is working relentlessly to meet the growing demand for mental health services. Since the pandemic, we have supported two-thirds more children and young people. Early intervention is key, and by 2029, every school and college will have access to a mental health support team.”
This research underscores the need for continued investment in mental health services to address the growing challenges faced by young people today.
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