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The mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults

As we mark the fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, there is an opportunity to reflect upon the impact of this unprecedented event that saw widespread impact from March 2020 to August 2021. To better understand this impact, we commissioned a mental health impact survey on young adults and their guardians.

Our survey was completed by a sample of 1001 parents who have children aged 18-25, as well as 1001 18–25-year-olds who were in education at the peak of the pandemic, to capture a variety of perspectives on this complex set of experiences. Below are key findings about young people that we were able to gather. Findings about parents can be found here.

All research was conducted by Censuswide. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Table of contents

The educational impact of COVID-19 on young people

Disruption to education and social activities at a crucial stage of development into adulthood was the experience of a substantial proportion of students in the UK over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 20 March 2020, all schools, including secondary schools and higher education institutions, were closed for in-person teaching, except for children of key workers and vulnerable students.

While attempts were made to minimise the impact of this period of remote learning, many young people struggled, especially those who had a harder time accessing online resources due to economic circumstances. It was estimated that 15% of secondary students did not have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet for their remote learning.

Our research found that 60% of the 18-25-year-olds surveyed experienced disruptions to their education with 40% feeling the pandemic has hindered their career progression. 51% believe they experience increased anxiety in professional settings than they would have otherwise, with 38% believing their pandemic-era qualifications are undervalued by employers.

The mental health impact of COVID-19 on young people

Disruption to routines, high levels of stress, uncertainty around the future, and significant loss in people’s lives contributed to nationwide concern for the lasting mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

26% of the young people we surveyed said they feel disconnected from the person they were before the pandemic, marking it as a point of significant change for them mentally, with 45% still experiencing negative mental health effects today.

Our survey found that 37% of young adults say their mental health has worsened since the pandemic, supported by 32% of parents also believing their child’s mental health has worsened since the pandemic. Our most recorded mental health concerns were anxiety, high stress, or depression, being reported by 43% of young women and 24% of young men.

The social impact of COVID-19 on young people

Lockdowns presented an isolating experience for many of us but, with adolescents being especially sensitive to the negative effects of social exclusion, research suggests isolation during this time could have a massive impact on development.

Our survey found that 31% of 18-25-year-olds said they have less of a social life since COVID-19. While many regarded the social isolation as less severe thanks to social media access, it has been found that young people find online interactions less fulfilling than face-to-face connections.

Regarding life experiences that many anticipate around this time socially, of those surveyed 22% said they still reflect on key life experiences they missed due to the pandemic. This is mirrored by 24% of parents reporting that they feel guilty about the experiences their children missed.

Perceived barriers to mental health support for young people

The importance of having effective mental health support cannot be underestimated. Dr Andrea Pickering, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director here at Clinical Partners, says the following on the matter:

"It’s crucial that young people and their families know where to turn for help. No one should have to navigate these challenges alone, and ensuring the right help is easy to find remains essential.”

Yet our survey found that only 15% of young adults have accessed therapy. When questioned about the perceived barriers to accessing support, 30% of those surveyed cite long waiting times as a barrier to seeking professional help, with 20% saying they are unsure where to turn for help.

There is also an issue with stigma surrounding reaching out for support. 28% of those we surveyed said they fear judgment when reaching out for support. We also found that 37% of young women said they spend time alone to manage their mental health, which could cause further isolation for them.

When exploring coping mechanisms for those struggling with their mental health, our survey found that:

  • 19% of young adults have turned to smoking or vaping.
  • 10% have used alcohol as a coping mechanism.
  • 6% have used drugs.

Why this matters to us

Accessible and high-quality mental health support are at the heart of everything we do and, with research like this survey, we are better able to establish the needs of both young people and their parents. We can see that the COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting young people five years later and believe that there is more to be done in addressing the barriers to support.

As we work to put a spotlight on this issue, we hope that we can reduce stigma around seeking support for mental health concerns and encourage both parents and young people to explore the help available to them.

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