England (Commonwealth Union) – The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns were devastating on the populations across all demographics, particularly in places with extreme lockdowns. The lockdowns took the heaviest toll on the youth who were generally more active in outdoor events. In spite of the easing of lockdowns the scars still remain.
Weak mental health for younger generations between 16 and 17 years old has risen by over 25% since 2017, according to research by the University College London (UCL) and the Sutton Trust. The study applied data from the COVID Social Mobility & Opportunities (COSMO) study, the most extensive study of its kind examining effects of the pandemic on young people.
The research was led by the UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO), the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) and the Sutton Trust, the study monitors the mental health, wellbeing and educational outcomes of 12,800 young persons all over England who were from Year 11 in early 2021, where a majority had recently commenced Year 13.
“The level of young people whose responses suggest concern with their mental health is shocking. And young people particularly affected by the events of the pandemic are among those with the highest levels of distress,” explained COSMO Principal Investigator Dr Jake Anders from the UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities. “The levels reached are the continuation of a trend that is evident over the past decade or so. While it is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic has sped this up, we should not lay all the blame at its door. Things were bad before and that means there are big systematic issues that need fixing. This problem won’t get better on its own.”
The mental health support younger persons got according to their indications from schools was not always well rated. The researchers suggested enhancing ring-fenced funding for mental health backing for all schools.
