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New NHS figures have exposed the frightening scale of the mental health crisis among young people – with one in five young women aged 17 to 19 reported to have an eating disorder.
Survey data released by the Office for National Statistics, (ONS), last week confirmed increases in the prevalence of conditions such as anorexia and bulimia across two age groups – 11 to 16 and 17 to 19 – since a previous study in 2017.
The new research, which also includes 20 to 25-year-olds’ responses from this year but not 2017, shows the greatest growth was among young women aged 17 to 19, 20% of whom told researchers they have an eating disorder. That compares to 1.6% in 2017.
Girls and young women reporting they have an eating disorder in 2023 compared to 2017:
11 to 16 4.3% (0.9%)
17 to 19 20.8 (1.6%)
20 to 25 8.5% (N/A)
Boys and young men:
11 to 16 1% (0.2%)
17 to 19 5.1% (0%)
20 to 25 3.6% (N/A)
Della Kagure Brown, director of the New Futures Project, said: “This data is worrying but not surprising for those of us working to support young women experiencing mental ill health.
“We have noted the increase in the numbers of young women presenting with eating disorders, and recognise that these are often linked to trauma including sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Any young woman concerned about these issues can self refer to the New Futures Project for therapeutic support.”
NHS Mental Health Director Claire Murdoch said: “The NHS is providing support for more children and young people than ever before – we have already supported over 700,000 children and young people with their mental health this year and also seen a 47% increase in young people being treated for eating disorders compared to pre-pandemic.
“NHS staff are working harder than ever to meet the increased demand and we have fast-tracked mental health support for millions of pupils in schools and colleges, as well as significantly expanding the children’s mental health workforce.
“Our partners, especially in the education, voluntary and social care sectors, also have a critical role to play in supporting this effort.
“It is vital that any child or young person struggling, or their family, reaches out for help so they can get the care they need.”
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at the eating disorder charity Beat, told The Times last week: “These figures have brought into sharp focus the devastating scale of eating disorders in children and young people in England.
“Every day we hear from those who have been failed by the system, allowed to fall through the cracks and become even more unwell — and now urgent action is needed.
“Eating disorders are often thought to be rare mental illnesses, but this new data clearly shows that they are far more common than most people realise.
“Now is the time for support for those affected — including adults — to be placed at the forefront of mental health policy, and most urgently, prioritised for dedicated funding.
“The impact of the pandemic cannot be understated. During lockdown many young people went without social interaction for weeks or months, with vital safeguards such as teachers and school nurses unable to spot the earliest signs.”
NHS England said it has created 398 Mental Health Support Teams to support young children and young people inn schools and colleges. These teams, it said, cover approximately one third of students., while a further 200 teams are currently in training and due to become operational by Spring 2025.
This would ultimately cover five million (over 50%) of the country’s pupils and learners.
The survey showed that overall one in five children and young people in England aged eight to 25 had displayed signs of mental ill-health this year, a similar level to last year after a rise since 2017. The survey found higher rates of mental health problems in families struggling financially.
New Futures was set up more than 20 years ago to support women involved in sex work.
However, we have evolved into a welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation – frequently involving domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.
Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk
You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.
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