The Current State of Young People in 2025

This mental health week Red Umbrella were joined by Evie Barzycki, a student on work experience. In this post Evie talks about the current state of young people's mental health in 2025.

Young people’s mental health in 2025 is in serious decline, and it’s happening at an alarming rate. This crisis stems from a variety of causes, social isolation, financial stress, past trauma, but arguably one of the biggest contributors is social media.

Social Isolation is when someone lacks meaningful relationships, regular social engagement, or supportive settings. It’s a quiet but significant factor. Combined with pressures like financial hardship and unresolved trauma, it creates a storm of emotional strain.

But social media has had a uniquely damaging effect. Over the years, it’s changed how young people see themselves. Constant comparison to influencers and celebrities leads to unrealistic beauty standards, feeling like you need to be thinner, more muscular, more “perfect.” This can result in low self-esteem, constant worry about how others perceive you, and guilt after engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Mental Health Statistics

Let’s look at the numbers:

In 1997, when social media first began to emerge, 16.6% of young people aged 7–16 were diagnosed with a probable mental illness.
As of 2023–2024, this number has risen to 18%.
A shocking 18,577 young people in the UK waited over a year for mental health treatment through the NHS, and 44% waited over two years.
In England, children with mental health issues miss an average of 15 school days per term, significantly impacting their education.

Where to Get Help

There is hope. Many resources are available to support young people through difficult times:

Beat – Offers help with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and OSFED. They also provide advice on drug and alcohol misuse. It’s an online platform, so it’s widely accessible.

Kooth – Aimed at 11–25-year-olds, Kooth is a website that offers anonymous chat, online counseling, discussion boards, journals, and mental health activities.

CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are available to anyone under 18. They support issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, trauma, and more.

Samaritans – This organisation offers face-to-face and online support. They visit schools, colleges, and youth groups, teaching coping techniques and providing a safe space for anyone in need.

Breaking the Stigma

These resources are only useful if people feel safe and confident enough to use them. Sadly, stigma still holds many people back.

Phrases like “men don’t cry” and “women are too emotional” reinforce damaging ideas. Boys may feel like they can’t be vulnerable without seeming weak, and girls may feel like they have to suppress their emotions to avoid judgment. Words matter, they shape how people view themselves and others.

You can help simply by checking in on friends, choosing words carefully, and creating a space where people feel safe opening up.

Social media platforms could play a role, too, by adding easily accessible mental health resources and promoting messages of support, not comparison.

Small Steps, Big Changes

Until society fully catches up, sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference:

Go for a walk
Try a new hobby
Read a book
Spend time with supportive friends

A Personal Note

From personal experience, I know how scary and overwhelming it can be to talk about your mental health. But once you do, it truly feels like a weight has been lifted, like you can breathe again.

If you’re not ready to talk yet, that’s okay too. Just know that comparing yourself to others can take a huge toll, and if you ever feel trapped, you’re not alone. There’s always someone, somewhere, who can help, and there’s always hope.

Contact Us

Do you have any further questions or queries regarding our services and the industries we work with? Reach out to the team by using our online contact form, calling 0300 002 0061, or via email at [email protected] and we’ll be more than happy to advise you.

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