Gen Z Are ‘twice As Likely To Have Mental Health Problems’ As Millennials – With Half Suffering

GEN Z youngsters are twice as likely to have poor mental health as the previous generation were at the same age, UK polling has found.

A shocking half – 51 per cent – of 16 to 24-year-olds are now estimated to have a mental health problem.

GettyMental health problems have nearly doubled in 15 years in the UK (stock image)[/caption]

That compares to just 20 per cent of Millennials who were aged 16 to 24 in 2009.

The figures, from campaign group Health Equals, show woes have doubled in a generation.

Across all age groups there was an 80 per cent increase in probable cases of conditions like depression and anxiety.

Kadra Abdinasir, from the Centre for Mental Health, said: “A growing body of research shows a sharp rise in mental health difficulties among young people in recent years. 

“A combination of factors are driving this trend, from widening economic inequality and child poverty, to poor sleep, heavy use of digital technology and school pressures such as exam stress and strict behaviour policies.”

Youth mental health worst in Wales and East Midlands

Health Equals is a coalition of 85 health charities, companies and organisations, and analysed surveys from up to 20,000 British homes in 2009 and 2023.

The largest increase in the “likely presence of mental health conditions” was among under-25s.

Youngsters had it worst in Wales, where the rate was almost two in three – 63 per cent – and the East Midlands, where it was 59 per cent.   

Today’s under-25s moved young adults up the rankings as, in 2009, it was 45 to 54-year-olds who had the highest rates of mental illness, at 24 per cent.

Mental health conditions were more common in families on lower pay.

Paul McDonald, chief campaigns officer at Health Equals, said: “This data is a clear sign that the mental health of our young people is getting worse. 

“What’s more shocking is that this isn’t felt evenly across the country – those from more deprived backgrounds, and in Wales and the East Midlands are more likely to suffer. 

“This is unacceptable but it’s preventable.”

NHS child and adolescent mental health services are struggling with rising demand as patient numbers rocketed from fewer than 700,000 in 2023 to 850,000 in June this year.

Experts say the Government needs to fund more help in schools and do more to prevent mental health problems developing.

This includes improving the quality of housing and boosting job prospects.

Mr McDonald added: “It’s vital that children and young people have the tools they need to look after their mental health as they get older.”