A majority of Generation Z in Britain claim to have experienced a mental health problem, according to a study.

The survey of 1,545 people aged 16-25 found almost two-thirds (64 per cent) report having experienced or are currently experiencing mental health difficulties.

This is highest amongst 20-21-year-olds, where 40 per cent say they are currently experiencing difficulties and a further 31 per cent said they have in the past.

Researchers from University College London, who commissioned the YouGov survey, also found women are more likely to say they have experienced mental health difficulties (72 per cent vs 56 per cent among men).

Meanwhile, around a third (32 per cent) of those surveyed said they are likely to need mental health support in the next 12 months.

Professor Essi Viding, of UCL’s psychology and language sciences and pro-vice provost of UCL Grand Challenges, said the findings suggest increased awareness of mental health problems, but more research is needed on the prevention of mental health disorders.

She added: “We need more research to understand how we can prevent mental health problems from emerging and how we can support those with the most serious needs to access quick and effective evidence-based support.

“Such support can include school-based social and emotional skills interventions targeted at young people with mild to moderate mental health challenges, something that my group is currently researching.

“For more serious mental health challenges both psychological and pharmacological treatments may be appropriate.”

Most people (86 per cent) who had experienced mental health difficulties say they had sought support, although men are more likely than women to say they had not approached anyone for advice or help (16 per cent vs 7 per cent).

Meanwhile, amongst those who have experienced mental health difficulties, people were generally more likely to seek informal sources of help such as their friends (53 per cent) and family (47 per cent), over professional help.

It comes after Labour ministers announced that children in schools are to be given additional mental health support as part of a series of new measures rolled out by the Government to help build up resilience in young people.

Under the pledge, children will be offered sessions to “tackle anxiety and low mood”, with struggling schools receiving extra support through “attendance and behaviour hubs”.

Writing for The Telegraph in May, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, and Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said that children need to be prepared for life’s “ups and downs” in the classroom.

Meanwhile, a separate study revealed 37 per cent of Gen Zs often feel lonely, compared to 15 per cent of Gen X and 11 per cent of Boomers.

The research, commissioned by McVitie’s, which polled 2,000 adults, also found that 22 per cent of all adults also don’t know how to start a conversation with a stranger.

And 45 per cent believe they spend more time talking to people digitally than they do in person.

Andrea Damese, Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Kings College London, told The Telegraph: “It is important to promote positive mental health.

“However, it’s natural for some young people to face challenges. The role of professionals and society is to make sure that these challenges faced by young people are proportional to their coping abilities.

“Resilience as well as promotion of positive mental health and prevention of mental health is an important target for all professionals working with young people.

“Resilience is not something that young people develop by themselves, but they need to be adequately supported. For example, with positive relationships, safe spaces, and good role models.”

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