Fears of a mental health crisis for young people as recession looms

CHARITIES HAVE warned that a looming recession will have a devastating impact on the mental health of young people, many of whom are already struggling to cope with limited access to services during the lockdown.

More than a quarter of mentally ill young people have not been able to access services they normally use during the coronavirus crisis, according to the mental health charity, Mind.

The charity also warned that many people with no history of mental illness are being affected for the first time.

Men aged between 18 to 25 are particularly at risk of developing severe mental health issues, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as they have struggled to cope with job losses and a lack of freedom during the lockdown.

Vicki Nash, who is the head of policy and campaigns at Mind, told The Yorkshire Post: “Young people might be particularly worried about the impact the pandemic will have on their future, whether that’s education, work or the long-term impact of social isolation or forming and maintaining relationships.

“We know that young people are most likely to work in industries disproportionately affected by coronavirus, such as travel and hospitality.

“Therefore many young people will be worried about being furloughed, losing their jobs or struggling to find work.

“There’s a strong link between mental health and employment and money. With an impending economic recession, we’re concerned about the impact of these factors on the well-being of the whole nation, but particularly on certain communities.

“The Government and service providers need to work together to make sure access to appointments and therapies continues to avoid a worsening mental health crisis for young people in Yorkshire and beyond.”

This comes after the UN warned of a global mental health crisis on the horizon, with posttraumatic stress disorder among the conditions brought on by the crisis.

In Yorkshire, the problem is especially acute as NHS resources for young people were under pressure before the pandemic.

In December, 93 per cent of GPs in Yorkshire described mental health services for children and young people as extremely or very inadequate, according to a survey by the research body, medeConnect.

A total of 58 per cent of Yorkshire GPs said their young patients were refused treatment by NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Yorkshire area. Of those accepted, 29 per cent waited between six and 12 months to be seen.

Many charities that work with young people in Yorkshire could disappear over the next few months, as nine out of 10 have revealed that they have been negatively affected by coronavirus and a large proportion are having funding problems.

A quarter of education charities and nearly a third of health charities have reported losing more than half their income in a survey by Pro Bono Economics, a think-tank for charities and nonprofit organisations.

Small charities have been particularly affected, with 16 per cent saying it was very likely or quite likely they would close permanently in the next six months.

David Gent, the chief executive of Active Humber, an organisation that promotes exercise and sport in East Yorkshire, said: “Let’s not forget that young people have never had to face challenges like this and they need help. We don’t want to screw up a generation.”

Young people have never had to face challenges like this.

David Gent, the chief executive of Active Humber.