A major NHS survey has revealed a sharp rise in mental health problems among young women in England, with nearly one in five aged 16-24 reporting self-harm and one in eight screening positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings, from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity survey, show that 19.7% of women in this age group have self-harmed, up from 6.5% in 2007, while PTSD rates have trebled from 4.2% to 12.6% over the same period.
The study, based on interviews with 7,500 people, found that over a quarter (26%) of young women had experienced a common mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, or phobia in the past week. This is significantly higher than the 9.3% average for the overall population and marks a widening gender gap, with young women now three times more likely than young men to have a mental health condition.
Researchers and experts attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including sexual violence, childhood trauma, and the pervasive influence of social media. Sally McManus, the lead researcher, noted that while violence and abuse are strongly linked to mental illness, the ubiquity of social media among this age group warrants further investigation. Kate Lovett of the Royal College of Psychiatrists highlighted that young women today are the first generation to come of age in the social media era, which may contribute to unprecedented pressures.
The survey also recorded a rise in serious mental illness among women, with 10% exhibiting severe symptoms compared to 6% of men. In contrast, rates among men have remained largely stable since 2000. The report warns that the increase in self-harm and PTSD may reflect real behavioural changes, although improved reporting could also play a role.
Professor Maureen Baker of the Royal College of GPs expressed concern over the growing number of young women seeking mental health treatment, citing cyberbullying and revenge porn as emerging threats. The findings underscore the need for targeted support and further research into the drivers of this mental health crisis.
