Young women are twice as likely to experience a mental health problem as young men, but they are being let down by mental health services which aren’t meeting their needs, according to a new report by Centre for Mental Health commissioned by the Pilgrim Trust.
More than 30% of young women aged 17-25 have a mental health problem – the highest rate for any age group in England. Young women’s mental health has got dramatically worse over the last decade. Male violence, discrimination, financial pressures, societal expectations and the Covid-19 pandemic have all put young women’s mental health at greater risk.
Centre for Mental Health’s Empowering Minds report evaluates an innovative programme by the Pilgrim Trust that offers targeted and tailored mental health support for young women through projects across the north of England and Northern Ireland.
Over its first three years, the Pilgrim Trust’s Young Women in Mind programme has supported more than 3,000 young women in a wide range of community-based projects. They offer support that recognises the impact of trauma on young women’s mental health and is tailored to the needs of racialised, LGBTQ+ and refugee young women, and those who have experienced sexual violence or domestic abuse.
The report finds that mental health support that offers safe and dedicated women only (including trans women) spaces and uses one to one support, counselling, creative therapies and peer support successfully improves young women’s confidence, self-esteem, and wellbeing, as well as their understanding of their own mental health.
The report concludes that embedding the key principles of Young Women in Mind in routine practice is critical to improving young women’s mental health and redressing the current imbalance.
The report calls on the Government to take action to protect young women’s mental health, and the NHS to invest in tailored, trauma-informed support for young women in places they feel safe and heard. Young women must also be involved in creating services that work for them. Without this, young women will continue to be let down.
Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Young women’s mental health has declined steeply over the last decade, with double the rate of a common mental health problem than young men. This is a stark health inequality and the product of deeply rooted injustice. The Pilgrim Trust’s Young Women in Mind programme has shown what can be achieved when young women’s needs are understood and prioritised. This must lead to change in health and care systems nationwide.”
Sonja Forbes, Programme Lead at the Pilgrim Trust said: “There is a clear crisis of young women’s mental health. We developed this programme to increase young women’s access to high quality services that meet their specific needs. Effective mental health support for young women must address the distinct experiences of young women that contribute to poor mental health.”
Dr Helen Gatenby, Founder of the M13 Youth Project in Manchester, said: “Young women experience complex and often hidden mental health pressures – from trauma and caring responsibilities to inequality, safety concerns and financial stress – yet mainstream services rarely meet their needs. Targeted support is vital so they can access timely, safe, age and gender responsive help.”
