Research Reveals Lingering Impact of COVID-19 on Young People’s Mental Health, Social Life and Careers

Thursday, 20th March 2025 marks five years since schools and universities across England and Wales were forced to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lives of thousands of young people were upended and, half a decade on, young adults are still facing struggles with their mental health.

New research commissioned by Clinical Partners (https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk), one of the UK’s leading mental health service providers, sheds light on the scale of this issue. The survey of 2,000 young adults (who were secondary school or higher education age during the pandemic), and parents indicates that 2.3 million 18–25-year-olds across the UK have experienced a decline in their mental health since the pandemic.[i]

Nearly four in ten (37%) young adults believe their mental health has worsened since the pandemic, a concern echoed by a third (32%) of their parents. Yet one fifth (22%) of those aged 18–25 say they had no previous experience of mental health issues before lockdown. Anxiety, stress and depression are now widespread, experienced by 43% of young women and 24% of young men.

The consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond mental health. Half of young adults (51%) report increased anxiety in professional settings, and 40% believe the pandemic has hindered their career progression. One in five (38%) also feel their pandemic-era qualifications are undervalued by employers.

Socially, 31% of 18-25-year-olds say they have less of a social life since COVID and 23% feel disconnected from the person they were before lockdown. One in five (22%) still reflect on the key life experiences they missed due to the pandemic.

The data also highlights a trend of social withdrawal, with over a third of young women (37%) reporting that they now spend time alone to manage their mental health. This isolating behaviour reinforces the need for accessible mental health support.

For Darcy (19 years) from Bournemouth, who was 15 when lockdown began, the pandemic’s effects have been profound:

"I always struggled with depression, but lockdown intensified my mental health issues and made it difficult to maintain friendships. I developed a fear of leaving the house. Online learning was a challenge – I couldn’t engage with my teachers, and I didn’t feel I could ask for help. What I needed was proper professional support. Since the pandemic, I’ve struggled to maintain stable employment, adapt to work environments and build friendships. I still feel isolated at times and often wonder where I’d be if COVID hadn’t happened."

One in five (19%) young people say they have turned to smoking and vaping and one in ten (10%) have used alcohol as coping mechanisms for their mental health issues. Although 15% of young people have accessed therapy, barriers to seeking professional support include long waiting times (30%), fear of judgement (28%) and uncertainty about where to turn (20%).

Dr Andrea Pickering, Clinical Director of Psychological Therapy at Clinical, comments:

"We are seeing a generation still struggling to move forward, yet many feel unable to reach out for the support they so desperately need. Long waiting lists, fear of being judged and simply not knowing where to turn are leaving young people to suffer in silence. Mental health services must become more accessible, and stigma must be broken down so that those who need help feel empowered to seek it."

Parents have also felt the strain of helping their children adjust. Nearly six in ten (58%) parents say they found it difficult to support their child’s transition back to normal life, while almost a quarter (24%) feel guilty about the experiences their children missed due to the pandemic. Additionally, one in four parents (24%) report that their own mental health has been negatively impacted since COVID-19.

Five years on, the COVID generation and their families continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. As they work to rebuild their lives, the need for greater mental health support and recognition of their struggles remains urgent. Dr Pickering adds:

"The impact of the pandemic on young people and their families is a national concern that requires a collective response. Professional services such as GPs, therapy and counselling are vital, charities like YoungMinds and Samaritans also provide crucial support through helplines, peer networks and online resources. Schools and universities offer counselling and wellbeing services, and workplaces are increasingly recognising the importance of mental health support. No one should face these challenges alone, and ensuring support is visible and accessible remains a priority.”

For more information and resources, visit www.clinical-partners.co.uk

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

Contact rachel.samuel@beyondpr.com to interview Dr Andrea Pickering or Darcy.

About the Research

A nationally representative study conducted by Censuswide involving 1,000 young adults aged 18-25 years and 1,000 guardians. 2,000 UK residents in total. Commissioned by Clinical Partners. March 2025. 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.

About Dr Andrea Pickering, Clinical Director of Psychological Therapy at Clinical Partners

Dr. Andrea Pickering is a consultant clinical psychologist, specialising in paediatric clinical neuropsychology. She has extensive experience supporting children and adults with complex mental health, neurodevelopmental and family challenges.

A Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Dr. Pickering is an expert in autism diagnosis and intervention, as well as the treatment of emotional and behavioural difficulties using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and systemic therapy.

In her current role as Clinical Director of Psychological Therapy at Clinical Partners, Dr Pickering plays a vital role in driving service development initiatives while leading a diverse team of clinicians to ensure that psychological treatments, services and therapies meet the highest clinical standards.

About Clinical Partners

Clinical Partners is one of the UK’s leading providers of mental health services, offering expert care both privately and through NHS partnerships. Supporting individuals and families with conditions such as autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression, it connects thousands of patients with senior clinicians through both face-to-face and remote appointments.

With a focus on empathy, expertise and evidence-based practices guided by NICE standards, Clinical Partners ensures the delivery of the highest quality of care. Its accredited clinicians provide treatments and therapies that prioritise strong patient-clinician relationships and aim to improve mental health outcomes.

Through its expanding network, Clinical Partners makes high-quality mental health support accessible to thousands of people each year.

For more information, visit: www.clinical-partners.co.uk

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