How common is mental distress?

Mental distress in Britain

In September 2024, NHS Digital released its latest Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics.¹ According to their research, 1.95 million people were in contact with mental health services by the end of July. This included 1.34 million contacting adult mental health services, 453,127 people in contact with young people’s mental health services, and 279,308 people in contact with learning disabilities and autism services. During this time, 457,917 new referrals were received. 

The stigma associated with mental distress is starting to change. While more people living with mental illness are starting to feel able to talk about their experiences, there is still a long way to go. Stereotypes and negativity surrounding poor mental health continue to mean that many still feel that they have nobody to talk to.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, nearly nine out of 10 people with mental health problems say that discrimination and stigma have negatively affected their lives. 

A 2024 survey from UK mental health charity Mind revealed that half of adults believe there is still a great deal of shame associated with mental health conditions. 51% of UK adults said they believe there is still a great deal or fair amount of shame associated with mental health conditions. 

While people reported believing the level of stigma around mental illness had decreased over the past five years, 56% of respondents experiencing ill mental health said they still felt ashamed. 12% believed that individuals living with mental illness should be ashamed of their mental health problems. 

A 2023 survey from Mind revealed that almost 20 million adults never speak about mental health. Around a third of adults in the UK (36%) never make time in their day to speak about mental health.²

According to statistics released by the Priory Group, despite 77% of men having experienced symptoms of common mental health conditions, 40% have never spoken with anyone about their mental health. 29% said they were ‘too embarrassed’ to speak about it, while 20% said there is a ‘negative stigma’ around mental health. 

A 2016 Time to Change survey of over 7,000 people living with mental health issues found that over half of those involved in the survey said it is easier to talk about their mental distress now than ever before. 60% also said they felt relieved and "like a weight had been lifted" once they talked about their condition.

Types of mental distress

According to the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey*, the most common mental disorder in England is mixed anxiety and depression, which affects 7.8% of people.⁴

*This is the most recent APMS survey, previous surveys were in 1993 and 2000. 

Following depression, the most common conditions include:

• generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
• anxiety
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• panic disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Between April 2022 and March 2023, the ONS Personal well-being survey data⁵ showed that average ratings of personal well-being appeared to decline across all measures in the UK. Most regions saw a decline in average life satisfaction. Over a quarter of women (26.6%) reported high levels of anxiety, compared to one in five men (20%). 

Learn more about common mental health concerns and how counselling can help.

Symptoms of mental distress

Any form of mental distress will be accompanied by a set of symptoms. However, each will differ from person to person and vary in severity. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with mental health problems can include:

• panic attacks
• self-harm
• psychotic experiences
• suicidal thoughts

Common symptoms of depression include low mood, fatigue and loss of interest or excitement in things previously enjoyed. Often, symptoms of depression will impair emotional and physical well-being, as well as the behaviour of the person.

Prevalence of mental distress

While the number of people affected by mental distress appears to have risen over the years, many believe that the increase is a result of more people talking about it and seeking help. We are becoming more aware of the prevalence of mental health across all genders and age groups and slowly, the stigma is starting to change.

In a 2009 report, it was found that women were almost twice as likely as men to suffer an anxiety disorder in England.⁶ A 2016 global review from Cambridge University also found that women were almost twice as likely as men to have anxiety. The 2023 figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed that there were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales, the highest rate since 1999. However, males account for around three-quarters of all suicides registered in 2023, which has been the case since the mid-1990s.⁷

Mental distress in pregnancy

There has also been research into the prevalence of mental health problems in pregnancy.

A 2015 report found the most common forms of prenatal and postnatal mental distress include anxiety, depression and PTSD.⁸ However, it is not just the women suffering mental distress during pregnancy. Research presented in 2018 by the American Psychological Association revealed that a “similar proportion” of new fathers experience some form of depression after the birth of a child.⁹

Talking to people, and finding out that almost everyone either had suffered either depression, panic attacks, phobias, fears or all of the above. Not necessarily post natal illnesses, but at some point in their lives. The more I was able to talk about it, the better I began to feel. Slowly - very slowly - I began to regain control of my life. For every two steps forward there was one step back, and sometimes I despaired of ever becoming "normal" again.

- Cindy's story.

Young people and mental health 

In 2021, The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that worldwide, 14% of 10-19-year-olds experience a mental health condition.

An English study of 3,366 young people in 2015 found that since 2009, both boys and girls experienced similar levels of mental health concerns, including emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems. However, results showed a significant increase in emotional problems in girls and a decrease in boys experiencing mental health difficulties.¹⁰

In 2021, it was estimated that 4.6% of 15-19-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder, with 2.8% experiencing depression.¹¹ It was also found that one in nine children had low well-being with the same amount unable to cope with changes during the pandemic. Overall, children's happiness continues to decline.¹²

How can counselling help?

One way of managing the effects of a mental health problem is by talking about it. Whether you are living with a mental health problem, or know somebody else who is, it is important to talk about your experiences and the stigma associated.

Counselling will provide you with the opportunity to explore and be open about your thoughts and feelings without shame, judgement or discrimination. The counsellor is there to listen to you and offer support.

There are a number of treatments available for those living with mental health problems. Talking therapy can help you understand what may have caused the problem and how you can manage it. Common types of talking therapy include:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• cognitive analytical therapy (CAT)
• creative therapy
• family intervention

Mental distress can affect each person differently. While some symptoms can be more manageable, others may need specialised treatment. To learn more about the treatments, the types of therapy available and how counselling can help, visit our mental health page.

References

• ¹ NHS Digital 2024
• ² Mind, almost 20 million adults never speak about mental health, February 2023
• ³ Rethink Mental Illness, May 2023
• ⁴ The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014
• ⁵ ONS Personal Well-being survey, March 2023 
• ⁶ 2009. Prevalence, incidence, morbidity and treatment patterns in a cohort of patients diagnosed with anxiety in UK primary care. Family Practice, 27(1), (p.9-16).
• ⁷ Suidices in England and Wales: 2023 registrations 
• ⁸ Ayers, S. and Shakespeare, J. 2015 – Should perinatal mental health be everyone’s business? Primary Health Care Research and Development (page 323-325).
• ⁹ American Psychological Association 
• ¹⁰ 2015. Mental Health Difficulties in Early Adolescence: A Comparison of Two Cross-Sectional Studies in England From 2009 to 2014. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(5), (page 502–507).
• ¹¹ World Health Organisation 
• ¹² Children’s Society 2022: The Good Childhood Report