A quarter of young people on the Isle of Wight do not feel positive about their future and three quarters have been worrying a lot, research undertaken by the Isle of Wight Youth Trust has found.
The charity says COVID-19 has had a 'significant impact' on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people on the Island.
It quizzed those aged between seven and 25 across the Island across three years.
Between 2019 and 2021, there was a 16 per cent rise seven to 11 year olds worrying a lot - and a six per cent rise among 11 to 25 year olds.
A total of 67 per cent of respondents felt unhappy, down or tearful by 2021 (up seven per cent from 2019).
While 69 per cent of 11 to 25 year olds felt they lacked energy and enthusiasm - a 12 per cent increase from 2019.
The survey also found nearly a near 11 per cent rise in those aged 11-25 identifying as LGBTQ+ in 2021.
Youth Trust CEO, Jo Dare, said:
“These findings reflect the reasons children, young people and their families are reaching out for support from the Youth Trust. Whilst anxiety remains by far the most common concern young Islanders are presenting with to our Counsellors and Wellbeing practitioners, we are seeing increasing numbers of young people seeking support for low mood, disordered eating and self-harm.
"We remain committed to listening to the voices of children and young people on the Island and it is heartening to see more young people than ever before being aware of the work of the Trust. But, there is still much work to do to ensure all young people can access the right support, in the right place and at the right time.”
Other findings include:
- 45% of respondents have felt terribly alone and isolated (a 5% increase from 2019). In 2021 8% more 11–25-year-olds reported feeling terribly alone and isolated than they did 2019
- 36% of respondents aged 11-25 hide or sometimes hide their eating habits
- 35% of respondents aged 11-25 have deliberately hurt themselves (a 6% increase from 2019)
- 30% of respondents do not feel positive about themselves
- 29% of 11–25-year-olds have received unwanted sexual content on social media. Just over 6% of them have had intimate images of themselves shared WITHOUT consent
- 15% of respondents aged 7-11 do not feel positive about their future, for the 11–25-year-olds, this figure almost doubles to 29%
- 14% of respondent aged 11-25 have attempted to take their own life (a 3% increase from 2019)
You can read more about the Youth Trust - and how to get in touch - here.
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