A sharp rise in young people suffering from mental health issues is causing a “major challenge” for the economy, a report has said.
The Resolution Foundation paper said more than a third of people aged 18-24 have had symptoms of mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, with the number of that age group out of work because of ill health almost doubling in the past 10 years from 93,000 to 190,000.
The think tank’s Jo Bibby said mental health was “one of the greatest health challenges we face” with the report stating that those with poor mental health were more likely to receive lower qualifications as 79pc of those who are jobless have only GCSE-level education.
Some 21 percent of young people with mental health issues are out of work compared with just 13pc of healthier people in that age group.
And issues are also impacting children, with one in eight 11 to 16-year-olds with poor mental health missing 15 days or more of school during the 2023 autumn term, in healthier classmates the figure is just one in 50.
Children suffering from poor mental health are also three times more likely not to pass five GCSEs including maths and English compared with healthier children, the report found.
Ms Bibby said: “The increase in the incidence of mental illness in young people is one of the greatest health challenges we currently face.
“It is already directly impacting the health and well-being of millions of people.
“It also represents a major challenge to economic and public spending through the social security system and pressure on the NHS. Without concerted cross-government action, we risk creating a ‘lost generation’ due to ill health.”
In 2021/22, 34pc of young people aged 18 to 24 reported symptoms of mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, significantly higher than in 2000, when that figure stood at 24pc.
In order to tackle Britain’s epidemic of poor mental health, the think tank said greater mental health support needed to be made available in colleges and sixth forms to ensure fewer people leave compulsory education with low qualification levels.
It said efforts should be focused on lower qualified young people.
A third of young people with mental health problems and no degree are out of work, compared with 17pc of graduates with the same illnesses.
Those suffering from mental illness are also more likely to be in low-paid work than those without, with 40pc of 18 to 24-year-olds with mental health problems receiving a low salary, compared with 35pc of healthier peers.
