Action: Research

Stats

• There are 783,000 young people (aged 16 to 24 years) in the UK who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).^[1]
• Young adults are more likely to feel lonely than older age groups, says a study from the Office for National Statistics.
• The research found that almost 10% of people aged 16 to 24 were “always or often” lonely – the highest proportion of any age group.^[2]
• The proportion of young people reporting that they find it difficult to get by financially decreased to 7% in the period 2014 to 2015 from 15% in 2009 to 2010 but the proportion of young people living in households at risk of poverty increased from 19% in 2008 to 25% in 2015.
• The proportion of young people reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression increased from 18% in the period 2009 to 2010 to 21% in 2013 to 2014; young women were more likely than young men to report symptoms of anxiety or depression.
• On social connections, the proportion of young people who said they had someone to rely a lot on, decreased from 80% in the period 2010 to 2011 to 76% in 2013 to 2014 but the proportion of young people who agreed or strongly agreed that they belong to their neighbourhood, increased from 50% in 2009 to 2010 to 57% in 2014 to 2015.^[3]
• 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.^[4]
• Children with special educational needs (SEN) are twice as likely as other children to be bullied regularly. (IoE 2014).^[5]
• A poll of 1,000 18-25-year-olds found money, appearance and career worries as well as fears about the future mean a large chunk of their time is spent feeling anxious or under pressure.
• But one in 10 feel they have no-one to turn to discuss their concerns, leaving them to face their fears alone.^[6]
• It is thought that around 13% of young people may try to hurt themselves on purpose at some point between the ages of 11 and 16, but the actual figure could be much higher.
• In 2014, figures were published suggesting a 70% increase in 10-14 year olds attending A&E for self-harm related reasons over the preceding 2 years.^[7]

^[1]Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: August 2018
^[2]BBC – Loneliness more likely to affect young people
^[3]Young people’s well-being: 2017
^[4]Mental health statistics: children and young people
^[5]Learning disabilities explained – research and statistics, Mencap
^[6]Young adultsspend more than six hours a day “stressed out”, The Independent
^[7]Self-harm statistics, SelfharmUK

Organisations

UK Young Artistsis a registered charity that champions the next generation of creativity, supporting collaboration and intercultural dialogue, ensuring a vibrant and diverse creative future for the UK.

BFI Film Academyis open to young people from anywhere in the UK and from any background, and offers a real chance for talented 16-19-year-olds to be part of our future film industry.

Into Filmsupports teachers and educators to achieve a wide range of effective learning outcomes in their use of film. Their programme includes a network of extra-curricular film clubs, resources for use in clubs and in the classroom, training opportunities, a cinema-based film festival and annual Awards.

UK Youthis a leading national charity, committed to providing access to appropriate, high quality services in every community so that young people are empowered to build bright futures, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Young Enterprise supports young people to develop the employability skills that employers demand, by delivering enterprise and financial education programmes in schools, colleges and universities.

Association for Young People’s Health(AYPH) is the UK’s leading independent voice for youth health.  They work to improve the health and wellbeing of 10-24 year olds.

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.

National Youth Agencychampion, professionalise and enable youth work, striving to find better, more inventive ways to empower more young people.

The Prince’s Trustis a youth charity that helps young people aged 11 to 30 get into jobs, education and training.

Centrepointhelps vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently.

MAC-UKis a mental health charity for excluded young people, taking what works in the clinic to the streets.

Groundwork  Youth is a platform supporting 16 – 24 year olds to take action in their local environment. They do this by providing opportunities and experiences that develop leadership potential and connect youth with like-minded people who also want to make a difference in their communities.

And they have a list of 14 organisations championing youth work and supporting young people

Stats

‘Neurodiversity’ is a term meaning people have different brain types. The term neurodivergent can be used by people who have neurological condition such as, but not limted to: autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and discalculia. It is also common for  neurodivergent conditions to be co-occuring (a person can have two or more conditions).

Autism is a  ‘spectrum’ condition, with a wide range of characteristics, but which nevertheless share some common features in terms of how people learn and process information.

• Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.
• Autism is much more common than many people think. It is currently estimated there are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that’s more than 1 in 100¹. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
• Autism doesn’t just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.
• Autism is a hidden disability – you can’t always tell if someone is autistic.
• Autism is not something which can be cured, but the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.
• According to a survey in 2021, Less than half of autistic children are happy in school. [2]
• Three quarters of parents and carers (74%) said their child’s school place did not fully meet their needs. [2]
• There are over 160,000 autistic pupils in schools across England.* Over 70% are in mainstream school, with the rest in specialist education, home educated or out of education altogether. [2]
• Government figures show that autistic children are twice as likely to be excluded from school either for a fixed period or permanently as pupils with no special educational needs. [2]
• Seven in 10 autistic children say that the biggest thing that would make school better is having a teacher who understands autism. [2]
• 70% of autistic young people have mental health problems, compared to 13% of their non-autistic peers [3]
• Autistic people are four times more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation.[3]
•  Only 16% of autistic adults in the UK are in full-time paid work [7]
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data in 2020 that shows just 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of employment [4]
• Autistic spectrum conditions are not classed as a learning disability in themselves, however, approximately 20-30% of people with a learning disability also have autism and people with autism are more likely to experience mental health problems. [6]
• Around 70% of autistic people have at least one physical or mental health issue, including anxiety disorders, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but these are often unrecognised. [6]

^[1] What is Autism, National Autistic Society

[2] School Report 2021, National Autistic Society

[3] World Autism Acceptance Week, 2023, National Autistic Society

[4] New Data on the Autism Employment Gap, National Autistic Society

[5] The Autism Act, 10 years on, National Autistic Society

[6] People with a Learning disability, autism or both, NHS England

[7] The Autism Employment Gap, National Autistic Society

Organisations

Autism in Mind support individuals who are both newly diagnosed with autism or diagnosed during childhood but have been unable to access support or services during their adult lives.

Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism to the notice of all, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment.

Dimensions supports people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs out of institutions, helping them lead ordinary lives in their local communities.

National Autistic Society is the leading UK charity for autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) and their families.

Contact support families with the best possible guidance and information, bringing families together to support each other, and helping them to campaign, volunteer and fundraise to improve life for themselves and others.

Stats

• The number of people with dementia globally is estimated to be 46.8 million. Currently, this is greater than the total population of Spain and is projected to nearly triple by 2050.^[1]
• In 2015 in the UK an estimated 850,000 people were living with dementia, of whom 40,000 were aged under 65 (younger people with dementia) and 25,000 were from black and minority ethnic groups in the UK.
• By 2051 there will be an estimated 2 million people living with dementia in the UK.
• A third of babies born today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
• Two thirds of people with dementia are women.
• One in six people aged 80 and over have dementia.
• 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, that’s one every three minutes.
• Two thirds of people with dementia live in the community while one third live in care homes where 80 per cent of residents have a form of dementia.
• Dementia is the leading cause of death amongst women and the third leading cause of death in men.
• The financial cost of dementia to the UK is £26 billion per annum.
• There are 670,000 carers of people with dementia in the UK.
• In 2015 only 44% of people with dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received a diagnosis of dementia.^[2]
• 72% of people living with dementia also have another medical condition or disability.
• A quarter oof hospital beds are occupied by people living with dementia who are over 65.
• 39% of people under 60 years and 52% of people 60 years and above said that Alzheimer’s is the disease they are most concerned about. It is the most feared disease for people 60 years and above.^[3]
• Dementia is ‘young onset’ when it affects people of working age, usually between 30 and 65 years old. It is also referred to as ‘early onset’ or ‘working-age’ dementia.
• It is estimated that there are 42,325 people in the UK who have been diagnosed with young onset dementia. (Ref Dementia UK, 2nd edition 2014, Alzheimer’s Society).  They represent around 5% of the 850,000 people with dementia.^[4]

^[1] Alzheimer’s Research UK – Statistics about dementia
^[2] Alzheimer’s Society – Dementia UK Report
^[3]  Alzheimer’s Research UK – Statistics about dementia
^[4] Young Dementia UK – Young onset dementia facts and figures

Organisations

Alzheimer’s Society believe passionately that life doesn’t end when dementia begins. They are there for anyone affected by dementia, and are committed to keeping people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.

Dementia Friends is a programme, led by Alzheimer’s Society. It is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia, aiming to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

Dementia Action Alliance is for organisations across England to connect, share best practice and take action on dementia. Members include leading charities, hospitals, social care providers, Government bodies, pharmaceuticals, royal colleges, and wellbeing organisations.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by scientists and supporters, they are challenging the way people think about dementia, uniting big thinkers in the field and funding innovative science that will deliver a cure.

Age UK‘s vision is to make the UK a great place to grow older, by inspiring, supporting and enabling in a number of ways.

Young Dementia UK is the dedicated national charity for younger people with dementia and their families.  They are committed to helping those affected to continue to live life, by providing support, social events and information.

Arts 4 Dementia develop arts programmes to empower, re-energise and inspire people with early-stage dementia and carers through challenging artistic stimulation, to help them live better for longer in their own homes.

Creative Dementia Arts Network create challenges and possibilities connecting artists, arts organisations and cultural institutions with commissioners of creative arts for dementia.

Created Out of Mind is aiming to explore, challenge and shape perceptions and understanding of dementias through science and the creative arts.

DEEP (Dementia Empowerment and Engagement Project) brings together groups of people with dementia from across the UK. DEEP supports these groups to try to change services and policies that affect the lives of people with dementia.

Innovations in Dementia’s work supports people with dementia to keep control of their lives, by running innovative projects, providing a training and consultancy service and influencing how others work with people with dementia.

Stats

• A recent index of 301 diseases, globally, found mental health problems to be one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide.
• According to the 2013 Global Burden of Disease study, the predominant mental health problem worldwide is depression, followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• In 2013, depression was the second leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide, behind lower back pain. In 26 countries, depression was the primary driver of disability.
• Depressive disorders also contribute to the burden of suicide and heart disease on mortality and disability; they have both a direct and an indirect impact on the length and quality of life.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 35% and 50% of people with severe mental health problems in developed countries, and 76 – 85% in developing countries, receive no treatment.
• Nearly half (43.4%) of adults in the UK think that they have had a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life (35.2% of men and 51.2% of women). A fifth of men (19.5%) and a third of women (33.7%) have had diagnoses confirmed by professionals.
• In 2014, 19.7% of people in the UK aged 16 and older showed symptoms of anxiety or depression – a 1.5% increase from 2013. This percentage was higher among females (22.5%) than males (16.8%).
• In 2014, suicide was the leading cause of death for men under 50 years of age in England and Wales, and for women aged 20–34.71 The demographic with the highest suicide rate (of 23.9 per 100,000 population) was men aged 45–59.
• The number of hospital admissions due to intentional self-harm has been rising over the last decade, from 91,341 in September 2005–August 2006 to 112,096 in September 2014–August 2015 – a decrease of 1.8% from the previous 12-month period, when there were 114,105 admissions.
• People with severe mental health problems are much more likely to harm themselves than they are to harm others. In 2013, 1,876 suicides were recorded among mental health inpatients in the UK, compared to 51 homicides.
• People with mental health problems are more likely to be victims of violence than those without mental health problems.
• A review of joint inspections undertaken by the Healthcare Commission and HM Inspectorate of Probation in 2009 found that 43% of young people aged 18 or younger on community orders have emotional and mental health needs.^[1]
• 93 per cent of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities who have mental health problems face discrimination because of them.^[2]
• There is a tendency for different types of news and information media to present mental illnesses in a way that promotes stigma (e.g., by conflating it with violence and crime) and/or perpetuates myths about mental illness (e.g., by presenting information that is inaccurate about, say, treatment and prognosis).
• A review found that mass media stigma reduction campaigns, web‐based mental health literacy programs and documentary films can all have positive effects, particularly if they include personalised stories (as opposed to education alone).^[3]
• Civic engagement is associated with a more positive outlook, greater well-being and lower prevalence of anxiety or depression^[4]
• Cinema attendance can be both a personally expressive experience, good fun, and therapeutic at the same time.
• In a rather groundbreaking study, Konlaan, Bygren and Johansson found that frequent cinema attendees have particularly low mortality risks – those who never attended the cinema had mortality rates nearly 4 times higher than those who visit the cinema at least occasionally.
• IsoAhola and Park found that social leisure activities promoted better mental health than non-social leisure activities.^[5]

^[1] The Mental Health Foundation – Fundamental Facts about Mental Health 2016
^[2] Black and Minority Ethnic communities faced with double the levels of discrimination
^[3] Hunter Institute of Mental Health: Mental illness in the news and information media
^[4] Donovan, Halpern, and Sargeant 2002; Putnam 2001
^[5] Institute for Social and Economic Research – Cinema is good for you

Organisations

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

The Mental Health Foundation is the UK’s charity for everyone’s mental health. With prevention at the heart of what they do, they aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems.

SANE is a leading UK mental health charity, working to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.

Heads Together is a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health with fundraising for a series of innovative new mental health services.

Young Minds is leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. They aim to ensure young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

Mental Health UK brings together four national mental health charities working across the UK, which have 40 years’ experience of working to improve life for people affected by mental illness in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland:

Rethink Mental Illness directly supports tens of thousands of people in England every year, whether they are experiencing depression or anxiety for the first time, or require long-term support to cope with bipolar disorder, psychosis or schizophrenia.

Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaborative of National Health Service trusts, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. The alliance is ultimately concerned with improving support for people contemplating suicide by raising awareness of and promoting free suicide prevention training which is accessible to all.

Support in Mind Scotland aims to improve the quality of life of anyone whose mental health problem or mental illness has a serious impact on their life or the lives of others including families, carers and supporters.

Hafal is Wales’ leading charity for people with serious mental illness and their carers.

MindWise is a leading mental health charity in Northern Ireland delivering over 30 services.

Time to Change is the growing social movement changing how we all think and act about mental health. Still too many people are made to feel ashamed or isolated because they have a mental health problem but we’re here to change that.

They also have a list of further mental health support organisations.