In a revealing survey conducted by YouGov for UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing, it was found that a significant portion of young adults in Britain are grappling with mental health issues. The survey indicates that 64% of young adults aged 16-25 have experienced mental health difficulties, with a notable 32% anticipating the need for support in the coming year.
The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced research and support systems focused on early intervention and prevention of mental health disorders, according to UCL academics. The data highlights a pressing issue, especially among the 20-21 age group, where 40% report ongoing difficulties, and an additional 31% have faced challenges in the past. Notably, women are more affected, with 72% reporting mental health difficulties compared to 56% of men.
Factors Contributing to Mental Health Struggles
When asked about factors negatively impacting their mental health, respondents pointed to academic and financial pressures as significant contributors. Specifically, 17% cited school, college, or university pressures, while 16% mentioned financial stress. The situation is particularly dire for those neither in education nor employment, with 47% reporting current mental health difficulties, compared to 32% of the overall sample.
Professor Essi Viding from UCL Psychology & Language Sciences emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “Our survey findings align with research indicating that it is common for young people to experience mental health difficulties. These findings may, in part, reflect increased awareness and improved identification of mental health problems.”
Seeking Support: Preferences and Challenges
Despite the challenges, 86% of those who experienced mental health difficulties sought support. However, there is a gender disparity, with men more likely than women to avoid seeking help (16% vs. 7%). Among those who sought assistance, informal support networks such as friends (53%) and family (47%) were preferred over professional help.
“88% of those supported by friends found it helpful, while 70% valued family support. Satisfaction with private therapists stood at 74%, but NHS therapists and GPs received lower satisfaction ratings of 56% and 53%, respectively.”
These statistics highlight a potential gap in the effectiveness of available professional mental health services, particularly those provided by the NHS. The dissatisfaction with NHS services may be linked to the severity of symptoms experienced by those referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), where 69% found the support unhelpful.
Expert Insights and Future Directions
Professor Argyris Stringaris of UCL Psychiatry stressed the need for tailored prevention and intervention strategies, recognizing that “different groups and communities report problems differently, and evaluation and intervention should be tailored accordingly.” He also noted the broad nature of the term “mental health difficulties,” which encompasses a range of experiences not necessarily amounting to mental illness.
Recent studies by Professor Stringaris and colleagues have shown that NHS talking therapies are less effective for young people aged 16-24 compared to older adults. This finding calls for innovative approaches in mental health treatment tailored to younger demographics.
“While mental health treatments such as talking therapies are effective for young people, we found that NHS Talking Therapies are less effective for them than they are for older people, so we need to find better ways to tailor treatments to young people.”
The survey, with a sample size of 1,545 young adults, was conducted online between June 13 and July 7, 2025. The results are representative of all young adults in Great Britain, emphasizing the need for transformative cross-disciplinary research and partnerships for prevention and early intervention.
As mental health concerns among young Britons continue to rise, the call for action becomes more urgent. UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing aims to address these issues through innovative research and practical solutions, paving the way for a healthier future for the nation’s youth.
