There has been much in the national news recently about the rise in mental illness among 18-25 year olds.

Some suggest that it might be because of increased awareness of mental illness and less stigma attached to declaring a need for support. Last week there were reports that 18-25 year olds are more likely to be out of work because of mental illness than any other age group. This age group, known as generation Z, have had many labels attached to them over the last few years, including snowflake and workshy. It is too easy to use such lazy labels when findings from the Resolution Foundation following a three-year survey show that one in three 8-24 year olds reports symptoms including depression and anxiety, compared to one in four in 2000.

We are also quick to find a reason or someone or something to blame. There are many potential reasons like the impact of Covid lockdowns, the cost of living, pressure in schools and universities, the climate crisis and overuse of smartphones. Perhaps it is parenting changes or maybe young people are less resilient. The reality is probably that it is a combination of all of those things and the stories will be individual and also familiar.

In the Sid Valley, we are lucky to have WHAT, a group of organisations helping children, young people and care givers find the strategies to develop resilience and cope with the pressures they experience. There is an increasing need for this support work at a time when funding is decreasing. Here is an example of how mentors in Sidmouth College have helped one student.

H was having relationship issues with his parents and found school challenging. Preparing for GCSE exams was causing him stress and worry. H found it difficult to talk to his parents about how he felt as there was pressure on him doing well in his exams. H didn’t spend much time outside of his room or with friends and either gamed or worked. He struggled at school because he found the pressure stressful and had experienced bullying which made it difficult for him to trust others. The mentor worked with H on managing his worries and anxious thoughts and writing to his mum about how he felt. This helped her understand why he would be quiet or shut himself away and helped H turn a corner in their relationship. H said that talking things through with people really helped to reduce his anxiety and worry.

There is currently a list of 80 young people at the college waiting for support. Young people can turn their lives around, but it takes time and therefore funding.