In the United Kingdom, recent data from the Office for National Statistics reveals a concerning trend, with over 560,000 individuals aged 16 to 34 facing unemployment during the first quarter of 2023. This surge in joblessness within the young demographic has raised alarms, and experts are attributing the unsettling figures to a burgeoning mental health crisis and a simultaneous lack of investment in health services.
The Guardian’s report underscores the linkage between the escalating mental health crisis and the growing economic inactivity among young people. Analysts point out that this economic inactivity encompasses both those currently unemployed and those not actively seeking employment.
The Health Foundation’s report sheds light on a concerning statistic: individuals aged 16 to 34 are now as likely to report a work-limiting condition as individuals aged 45–54 years a decade ago. This indicates a substantial shift in the prevalence of health-related barriers to employment within this age group.
Furthermore, the Office for National Statistics’ labor force survey underscores the impact of mental health issues on the workforce. Approximately 36% of individuals aged 16 to 34 who are currently unemployed report struggling with mental health problems. Among the various mental health challenges faced, depression, anxiety, and nervous conditions emerge as the most prevalent.
Experts emphasize the role of difficulties in accessing mental health services and a prolonged period of underinvestment in the public health sector in exacerbating population health issues. David Strain, a professor at the University of Exeter and chair of the British Medical Association’s Board of Science, expresses concern about the national health service’s focus on treating illness rather than promoting overall health.
Strain notes, “We have a national disease service these days, not a national health service. We are focused on treating sick people rather than keeping people healthy. And people haven’t had access to essential mental health services.”
While acknowledging that long Covid may contribute to the observed challenges, experts caution that obtaining precise numbers is a complex task. Researchers point out that the issues faced by individuals out of work due to mental health problems are not entirely new, tracing back almost a decade to 2012. The Health Foundation’s report underscores a concerning trend: the number of people not working due to mental health issues has nearly doubled in 11 years, rising from 6.7% in 2012 to 12.7% in 2023. This data highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies addressing both mental health challenges and unemployment issues among the young population in the UK.
