How Common Are Mental Health Problems In The Uk?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year

[1]. In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as and depression) in any given week [2].

What are the most common mental health problems in England?


Mixed anxiety & depression

is the most common mental disorder in Britain, with 7.8% of people meeting criteria for diagnosis. 4-10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime.

Is mental health getting worse in the UK?


Key indicators of distress among UK adults – including loneliness, suicidality and not coping well with stress – are worse now than at the start of the pandemic

, according to new research by the Mental Health Foundation and its university partners.

Is mental health increasing in the UK?

The Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in England found that 1 in 6 people aged 16+ had experienced symptoms of a common mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety, in the past week. Women were more likely than men to be experiencing common mental disorders.

Prevalence has increased since 1993

.

How common is anxiety UK?


1 in 6 people

report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England [2].

What age is depression most common UK?

Age. In early 2021, adults aged

16 to 29 years

were most likely to experience some form of depression (34%). People aged 70 years and over were least likely to experience some form of depression (10%) when compared with any other age group (Figure 3).

What age group has the most mental health issues UK?

The highest rates among women were found in ages

16-24

. For men, rates were around 3% for age groups between 16 and 44.

How common is stress in the workplace UK?

In 2020, of British adults in employment – a staggering

79%

commonly experience work-related stress. This makes work-related stress the most common form of stress in the UK. Compared to 59% in 2018 – the data reveals that work-related stress is on the rise.

When should I call 999 for mental health?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, such as experiencing suicidal thoughts and unable to keep themselves safe, or engaging in self-harming behaviour that has caused significant injury or overdose it may be necessary to call 999 for an ambulance or attend your local accident and emergency department.

What percentage of the population have mental health problems?

An estimated

26% of Americans ages 18 and older

— about 1 in 4 adults — suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time.

What percentage of NHS funding goes to mental health?

Mental health problems account for 23 per cent of the burden of disease in the United Kingdom, but spending on mental health services consumes only

11 per cent

of the NHS budget.

Is mental health becoming more common?


Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide

. Mainly because of demographic changes, there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade (to 2017). Mental health conditions now cause 1 in 5 years lived with disability.

Who is most likely to get a mental illness?

Prevalence of Any Mental Illness (AMI)

The prevalence of AMI was higher among females (25.8%) than males (15.8%).

Young adults aged 18-25 years

had the highest prevalence of AMI (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.3%) and aged 50 and older (14.5%).

How do I stop worrying NHS?

  1. try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. …
  2. use calming breathing exercises.
  3. exercise – activities such as running, walking, swimming and yoga can help you relax.

Why am I crying for no reason NHS?


Sometimes there's a trigger for depression

. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or giving birth, can bring it on. People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.

Is there a rise in depression?

New research from Boston University School of Public Health reveals that

the elevated rate of depression has persisted into 2021, and even worsened, climbing to 32.8 percent and affecting 1 in every 3 American adults.

How many teenagers have mental health issues in the UK?

Rates of probable mental disorders have increased since 2017; in 6 to 16 year olds from one one in nine (11.6%) to one in six (17.4%), and in 17 to 19 year olds from one in ten (10.1%) to one in six (17.4%). Rates in both age groups remained similar between 2020 and 2021.

What percentage of teens have anxiety?

An estimated

31.9%

of adolescents had any anxiety disorder. Of adolescents with any anxiety disorder, an estimated 8.3% had severe impairment.

What percentage of people in the UK are stressed?


74%

of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. 81% of women said this compared to 67 percent of men. 83% of 18-24 year-olds said this compared to 65 percent of people aged 55 and over.

What age range is most likely to suffer from mental health problems?

We take a life-course approach to mental health because good mental health begins in infancy. 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year.

50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24

.

How many people lose their jobs due to mental health?

1.

Up to 300,000 people with mental health problems lose their jobs each year

. This is much higher than the rate of job loss among those with a physical health problem.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.