Mental wellbeing has been gradually declining since 2016-17 and the cost of mental ill health in England is estimated at £300 billion a year.
We worked with Mind to produce the annual The Big Mental Health Report, which brings together the latest evidence on the current state of mental health and mental health services in England and Wales, alongside insights from people with lived experience of mental health difficulties to show us how people are doing, how services are working, and what still needs to change.
Over four chapters, the report explores the current state of mental health in England and Wales; what’s driving poor mental health; experiences of support; and mental health stigma and discrimination.
Key findings include:
- One in five adults (20.2%) in England are living with a common mental health problem – with rates higher in women (24.2%) than men (15.4%)
- Those aged 16–24 are particularly affected, with prevalence rates rising from 17.5% in 2007 to 25.8% in 2023–24
- Over one in three reported a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for an appointment with their GP or a voluntary/third sector organisation
- Understanding of mental health is slipping: in 2024, knowledge scores fell below 2009 levels for the first time.
It also highlights the inequalities around mental health:
- In England, adults in the most deprived areas have higher rates of mental health problems (26.2%) than those in the least deprived areas (16.0%)
- People in problem debt were more than twice as likely to experience a mental health problem (39.0%) than those without (18.4%)
- Children from the least well-off 20% of households are 4 times more likely to experience serious mental health difficulties by age of 11, compared to those growing up in the wealthiest homes.
It explores the reasons for rising prevalence in mental health problems including the impact of cuts to services, rising levels of wealth inequality and child poverty.
The report paints a picture of rising levels of mental distress and mental health services that are struggling to meet people’s needs and calls for urgent action from the English and Welsh Governments:
- Improved timely access to quality mental health support
- Urgent action to improve young people’s mental health and stop them reaching crisis
- Targeted interventions to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination
- Address the social factors which contribute to poor mental health.
The Centre supported this report as part of the Advisory Group and by reviewing published evidence about mental health in England and Wales over the last year and the state of mental health services.
