The figure has increased by 7% in just three years.
The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Jigsaw, say that 39% of their users have said they've experienced the condition.
Parental separation, traumatic experiences, peer pressure and exam stress are traditional factors. According to their Annual Report in2017, other common mental health difficulties included: low mood (31%), stress (25%), sleep changes/issues (17%), anger (15%), family problems (14.5%), isolation/withdrawal (14%), self-criticism (12%), low self-esteem (12%) and thoughts of self-harm (11%).
Dr Gillian O’Brien, Director of Clinical Governance at Jigsaw said, "There is a deepening sense of uncertainty amongst many young people we support in relation to their sense of identity and place in this fast-paced, evolving world."
She went on to say that high expectations of self are one key driver of anxiety which can be compounded by the expectations of parents, teachers and society at large.
"However, if there is something positive that can be extracted from this rise in levels of anxiety it’s that young people today are so much more literate in terms of their mental health and wellbeing than they have ever been before.", she added.
Find out more about Jigsaw here.
Don't forget, if you need to talk you can also contact:
- Pieta House free 24-hour suicide helpline on 1800 247 247. Or, alternatively, text HELP to 51444
- Samaritans free 24-hour helpline: 116 123 (UK) 116 123 (ROI), or email [email protected]
