Wellbeing news, guides and resources for the banking community
Supporting young minds
Young people today face unique challenges to their mental health.
Growing up in 2025 means navigating a seemingly unavoidable stream of distressing news, the polarised and pressured world of social media, and an overload of information that can be difficult to process.
On top of this, many are grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, the lasting impact of the pandemic on their formative years, growing anxiety about climate change and wider global uncertainty. It’s no surprise that large numbers are struggling.
In this month’s Connect, we’re exploring children and young people’s mental health – unpacking the trends, the scale of the issue, and practical ways to support a young person in your life.
By numbers: The scale of the problem
1 in 5 young people had a mental disorder in 2023 – up from 1 in 8 in 2017
(Source: NHS)
The crisis is deepening, and public services are struggling to cope:
Eating disorders among 17 to 19-year-olds rose by nearly 12% between 2017-23(Source: NHS)
A&E visits for under-18s with psychiatric conditions tripled between 2010-19 (Source: NHS)
Just over 1 in 3 young people with a diagnosable mental health condition get NHS care (Source: YoungMinds)
76% of parents said that their child's mental health had deteriorated while waiting for NHS support (Source: YoungMinds)
Untreated mental health issues in children on NHS waiting lists cost public services an estimated £75m per year(Source: Stem4)
The ripple effect: from childhood into adulthood
With many unable to access help, the effects are rippling into schools, families, and adulthood:
1 in 10 boys with a mental disorder have been excluded from school (Source: Mental Health of Men and Boys Inquiry)
68% of parents are concerned about their child’s mental health (Source: MindForward Alliance)
48% of parents say these concerns affect their work performance (Source: MindForward Alliance)
Half of all lifetime mental health conditions start by age 14 (Source: Public Health England)
Young people with a mental disorder are at higher risk of unemployment (Source: Resolution Foundation)
Guide: 5 ways to support your child
Worried about a young person's mental wellbeing? Here's how to make a difference:
1. Start a conversation
Create a safe, loving, and non-judgmental environment so they can explain their feelings – but don't force it. The NSPCC has some excellent advice on tricky conversations.
2. Reach out for support
Teachers may be aware of challenges that you’re not, so it’s worth checking in. Your GP too – they can refer you to specialist services. But talk to your child first – it helps keep things honest, open and inclusive.
3. Encourage healthy habits
Good sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet all play a big role in reducing stress and anxiety. Minimising screen time, particularly before bed, can also help.
4. Set a good example
Children learn from how we manage stress. Show them healthy coping strategies like talking things through, deep breathing, or stepping away to reset. If you’re worried about their screen time, consider your own habits too – leading by example can make a big difference.
5. Try counselling or therapy
Talking to a professional can help children process their emotions in a safe space. Our partners, Relate, are family counselling experts, while Kooth provides free, anonymous online support for young people.
Insights from our community
What we’re hearing from parents
Through our Helpline and conversations with members of the banking community, we know that parents aren’t just deeply concerned about their child’s mental health – they’re also feeling the strain of supporting them.
Getting help for yourself can make a real difference. If you're working, check whether your employer offers counselling through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Private health insurance may also cover mental health support.
We mentioned our expert partner, Relate, above. They offer counselling for individuals, families, and young people. While they may not be suitable for complex cases, they can provide valuable support. It’s a private service, so there is a cost, but it’s highly rated.
There are plenty of other great resources available too – we’ve listed some below.
Remember: you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Want to go deeper? Join our webinar
We’re hosting a free webinar on the challenges affecting children's and young people’s mental health tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. (Tuesday, 4 February).
We’ll explore common mental health issues and take a deeper look at social media's impact – how it shapes young people’s wellbeing and what you can do to help. We’ll also share practical ways to support children and teenagers and useful resources for parents and carers.
Can’t make it? Sign up anyway, and we’ll send you the recording.
Lucy's story: How we helped with her anxiety
Bank worker Matt was deeply concerned about his 15-year-old daughter, Lucy. As her GCSE exams approached, her anxiety escalated – she withdrew from friends, started missing school, and began to eat less.
After calling our Helpline, Matt was connected to our expert partners, Relate and Kooth. We funded counselling sessions, giving Lucy a private space, separate from school and home, to talk about her feelings and develop coping strategies.
With the right support, she learned to manage her anxiety and was able to sit her exams.
Useful resources
Need more help? Visit our guide on mental wellbeing for children and try these services, which provide specialist information and support:
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