Key insights from the report
Eight in ten teenagers feel they suffer with mental health challenges
Teenagers are grappling with a broad range of problems. Stress and anxiety are the most common, with worrying numbers with feelings of low self-worth.
- Almost half of young people recognise their anxiety, rising to 63% of teenage girls
- One in three fear socialising and speaking to people
- Over a quarter have a strong disliking of their body or the way they look
- One in four teenagers are depressed or feel down a lot
- A fifth are struggling to get enough sleep
1 in 3 suffer moderate to severe depression or anxiety symptoms
Many more teenagers screened positive for common mental health disorders than estimates suggest.
- One in four boys screen positive for depression
- 39% of 16-17 year olds screened positive for general anxiety disorder
- 44% of female teenagers suffer moderate to severe anxiety symptoms
More than half who screened positive have not spoken to a relevant professional
Despite this generation living in a society that is more open with mental health challenges, a large number of teenagers appear to be reluctant to reach out for help. We asked what's stopping them:
- 43% are too embarrassed
- 41% don’t think they need help
- 34 % don’t think anyone will care
- 17% don’t know who to ask
