THE surge in youngsters claiming mental health problems is a major drag on the economy, a report warns today.
It says people in their early 20s are more likely to be out of work because of ill health than those in their 40s.
The number of youngsters claiming mental health problems has become a major drag on the economy, according to reports[/caption]
More than a third of 18-24s say they have had symptoms of mental disorders — more than any other age group despite being the least afflicted segment two decades ago.
Worryingly, the number of young people without a job because of ill health has more than doubled in the past ten years from 93,000 to 190,000.
The Resolution Foundation paper finds this is more concentrated among less-educated youngsters, with 79 per cent of those that are jobless having only GCSE level qualifications.
The think tank’s Jo Bibby said: “The increase in the incidence of mental illness in young people is one of the greatest health challenges we currently face.
“It is already directly impacting the health and well-being of millions of people.
” It also represents a major challenge to economic and public spending through the social security system and pressure on the NHS.
“Without concerted cross-government action, we risk creating a ‘lost generation’ due to ill health.”
Government spending on disability benefits hit £29billion in 2022-23, but is forecast to balloon to £55billion by 2028.
Welfare Secretary Mel Stride last year announced a range of measures to get people back to work as bosses turned to migrants to plug record vacancies.
