Although the overall quality of life for young women in the UK is improving, they are becoming increasingly likely to suffer from mental health-related illness, a new report has found.
The Office for National Statistics has conducted an analysis of several reports looking at people's wellbeing to find out how this has changed in light of increased social media use and greater awareness of mental health issues.
It was found that more than one-third of 16 to 19-year-olds in the UK feel they have a 'very high' level of life satisfaction, as do one-quarter of 20 to 24-year-olds. Satisfaction with general health also improved, rising from 52 per cent in 2013-14 to 56 per cent in the 2014-15 period.
Financial satisfaction was up as well, rising markedly from 30 per cent in 2009-10 to 45 per cent to in 2014-15, with each of these metrics indicating a significant improvement in overall wellbeing and quality of life.
However, the number of 16 to 24-year-olds reporting a deterioration in their mental health has risen over the past few years, coming in at more than one-fifth (21 per cent) for the 2013-14 period, compared to 18 per cent in 2009-10.
Young women were found to be significantly more likely than young men to report experiencing symptoms relating to conditions such as anxiety and depression. Altogether, around one in four females aged 16 to 24 reported signs of these illnesses in comparison to one in six of their male counterparts.
Commenting on the survey results, Tom Madders, campaign director at mental health charity YoungMinds, stated: "There is still a huge amount of misunderstanding about mental health conditions, making people less likely to open up to others if they are struggling to cope.
"This is particularly difficult for young people who face pressure, including stress at school, college or university and body image issues."
YoungMinds has been calling on the teachers, parents and carers of young people to sign an open letter addressed to the government, asking it make sure schools and colleges throughout the UK are doing more to raise awareness of and end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Written by Angela Newbury
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