Data map reveals disparities in young people’s mental health across the UK

There are stark disparities in children and young people’s mental health across the UK, according to a new data map.

The map, Mapping the mental health of the UK’s young people, has been produced by the Centre for Mental Health in collaboration with Kooth, a mental health app.

It was created by gathering data from multiple sources including the NHS Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 survey, a range of national surveys from the devolved nations and multiple indicator profiles from the Fingertips Public Health Profiles database.  

The map shows that one in five children and young people aged between eight and 19 in England has a mental health difficulty. The rate of mental ill health rises with age. Among children aged 8-10, the rate is 157 in every 1,000, but among young people aged 11-16, it’s 226 in 1,000. In the 17-19 age group the figure is 233 in 1,000.

Rotherham had the highest number of new referrals to children’s specialist mental health services (182 per 1,000 compared to a national average of 70), the map shows. Herefordshire recorded the highest number of hospital admissions (309 per 100,000 compared to a national average of 81).

Child poverty linked to higher levels of mental illness

The map and accompanying briefing pinpoint areas with higher rates of children facing disadvantage linked to poor mental health, including those living in poverty, in care or facing abuse and neglect. Leicester had the highest proportion of children living in poverty in England (at 35%), with Glasgow City at 33%, Blaenau Gwent at 28% and Derry at 55%. Areas with high levels of child poverty are likely to have higher levels of mental ill health.

The aim of the map is to make sure that those responsible for commissioning or providing children and young people with mental health support have the information they need to support the children and young people they serve. This includes policymakers, local councils and health service providers alongside the education and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors.

Findings across the four nations include:

• Levels of loneliness are comparatively high among children and young people in Scotland, with 139 in 1,000 11-18 year olds feeling lonely often or always, compared to 55 in 1,000 11-16 year olds in England.
• Compared to figures for England, high proportions of children and young people in Wales report experiencing bullying, both online and in person.
• Northern Ireland has higher rates of school absence than other nations, with Belfast reporting the highest percentage at 15.2%. In Scotland, West Dunbartonshire saw the highest rate of school absence (11.6%) while in Wales, the highest rate of absence is found in Neath Port Talbot (9.26%) and in England, Bradford ranks highest (9.14%).
• In England, young people in their late teenage years report significantly greater prevalence of eating disorders compared to younger children. The figure jumps from 26 out of 1,000 11-16 year olds to 125 out of 1,000 17-19 year olds.
• The highest prevalence of self-harm in England is seen among young people aged 17-24 years, at 368 out of 1,000. Figures for 16-24 year olds in Scotland are similarly high, at 290 out of 1,000 young people.

Andy Bell, chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, said: “About 10 years ago, in an average size secondary school, approximately 100 children would have had a mental health difficulty. That rate has now doubled. Even more face major risks to their mental health, including poverty, abuse, racism, and discrimination.

“National and local governments can take action now to turn this around. Evidence-based policies and interventions can help to prevent mental distress and provide earlier and better help when young people need it. This cannot wait. Without the right help, children with mental health difficulties face a poorer future with lifelong consequences. Better support, in mentally healthier communities and schools, can create a brighter future for all.”