Young adults feel isolated and unaware of services to support their mental health
Posted 29 November 2019 - 10:50
Mental Health Foundation survey prompts calls for greater collaboration to boost young peoples well-being
Nearly half of young people do not know who to turn to for mental health and well-being support, a survey has found.
Of 2,522 people aged between 16 and 25, 45% were unaware of the mental health support services available to them.
And only 34% of young people believe they would get the correct mental health support they need.
Young adults report feeling isolated and unable to speak about their emotions
Additionally, 14% said they do not have a trusted adult to go to for support when experiencing a problem with their mental health.
- RELATED : Children and young people
Mental Health Foundation survey prompts calls for greater collaboration to boost young people’s well-being
Nearly half of young people do not know who to turn to for mental health and well-being support, a survey has found.
Of 2,522 people aged between 16 and 25, 45% were unaware of the mental health support services available to them.
And only 34% of young people believe they would get the correct mental health support they need.
Young adults report feeling isolated and unable to speak about their emotions
Additionally, 14% said they do not have a trusted adult to go to for support when experiencing a problem with their mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation report on children and young people also found:
- 54% said they can’t speak about their emotions with others.
- 25% said they lack companionship.
- 27% said they feel isolated from others.
- 21% said where they live has a negative effect on their mental health.
Calls for greater collaboration to improve mental health support for young people
The foundation is now calling for community organisations and local government to work together to understand their local area’s need to support young people’s mental health.
It also wants schools to introduce lessons on mental health.
Responding to the report, RCN professional lead for children and young people Fiona Smith said that the figures are saddening.
‘Nursing staff want to be able to do all they can for young people who need specialised support from children and young people’s mental health nurses.
‘But with significant system-wide shortcomings, it can feel as though nurses have one hand tied behind their backs,’ she said.
Ms Smith called on the next UK government to address the nursing workforce shortage across all fields to help young people who are struggling with their mental health.
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