Mental health 'emergency' facing next generation of Londoners

MANY young people are in the middle of an escalating mental health emergency and are “paralysed” by anxiety and fearful of the future, a landmark report warns today.

- Anna Davis

Stark findings from a major annual survey of young people show that self-belief is at an all-time low and young people’s mental health is reeling from Covid lockdowns, the cost of living crisis and political uncertainty. It comes as the Evening Standard today launches its Step Up initiative, which aims to help the next generation of Londoners deal with the challenges they are under — particularly involving their education. It aims to inspire young Londoners, guide them through education and career choices, and support their well-being, with a new online education channel launched today on the Evening Standard website at standard.co.uk/stepup.

A Step Up Expo at London Olympia in February will give parents and young people the chance to speak directly to teachers and get expert advice on applications to school, college, university, work-related training and apprenticeships.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “ It is fantastic to see the Evening Standard launch Step Up to help inspire young Londoners to think about their futures in new and positive ways. Many young Londoners face challenges — from strains on their mental health owing to the difficulties of the last two years, to the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis — and we all have a role to play in helping them to make positive choices and reach their potential.”