Mental health hell of ‘lost generation’

A LOCKDOWN “lost generation” of young people are feeling helpless and suicidal.

More than a quarter (29 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds thought about ending their lives in the last year, a study by the Samaritans revealed.

And more than a third

(36 per cent) suffered economic hardship such as job loss or a fall in income.

Many of the 2,766 young adults interviewed by Yougov for the Double Trouble study, said they felt like a lost generation – unable to pay bills, afford food or get good job replies.

Carly, 21, one of the interviewees, said: “My mental health was crashing down, and I felt like I didn’t want to be here any more.”

Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley said: “The labour market has been hit in a different way to previous economic shocks and younger people are paying the heaviest price.”

A European study by pharmaceutical giant Merck said 49 per cent of UK people said Covid had caused stress and anxiety.

Royal College of General Practitioners fellow, Dr Sarah Jarvis, said: “Mental health needs may be the next thing to risk overwhelming the NHS.”

Professor Marcantonio Spada, of London’s South Bank University, said: “The protracted and intermittent fear-based messaging will have mentally exhausted many people.

“I will be very surprised if we don’t see continuing anxiety, depression, suicide and addictive behaviour problems above higherthan-average levels over the next months and years.”

Suicide prevention charity Papyrus said 25 per cent more young people sought help during Covid. It is the biggest killer of young people although men aged 45-49 had the highest rate in 2020.

Contact the Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@ papyrus-uk.org. Call the Samaritans free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans. org. Alternatively, visit samaritans.org