Growing Up in 2025: How Are Young People Really Feeling?

Two major reports published in 2025 paint a detailed — and at times sobering — picture of how young people are really feeling. The Children's Society's Good Childhood Report 2025 and UNICEF's Perception of Youth Mental Health Report offer complementary perspectives: one grounded in UK data, the other in global youth voices. Together, they tell us something important about the world young people are growing up in.

The Good Childhood Report 2025: A Domestic Picture

The Children's Society's annual report found that 9% of children and young people surveyed in 2025 had low wellbeing. For the first time, children's average happiness was significantly lower than in earlier waves across six key life aspects — including family, friends, school, and appearance.

This isn't a sudden crisis. It's a gradual, persistent decline that has been building over years. The report highlights several contributing factors:

• Socio-economic pressures: Among 8–25 year olds with a mental health problem, 26.8% of those aged 8–16 had a parent who couldn't afford outside-school activities, compared to 10.3% without a mental health problem.
• Family stress: Financial pressure, housing instability, and parental mental health all affect children's wellbeing.
• Digital pressures: Social comparison, cyberbullying, and constant connectivity contribute to anxiety and low mood.

UNICEF's Global Youth Perspective

UNICEF's 2025 report centres the voices of young people aged 14–25 across multiple countries. It reveals how young people perceive their own mental health landscape — and the picture is one of limited support, high concern, and a desire to be heard.

Key themes include:

• Loneliness and social pressure: Many young people report feeling isolated despite being more “connected” than ever through digital platforms.
• Barriers to support: Cost, stigma, and lack of awareness prevent many from accessing mental health services.
• A call for action: Young people want more investment in mental health services, better understanding from adults, and genuine participation in decisions that affect them.

The Service Gap

Behind the statistics lies a service system under enormous strain. The Royal College of Psychiatrists reports that by September 2024, approximately 352,682 under-18s were waiting for first contact with NHS-funded mental health services in England. About 1 in 10 had been waiting more than two years.

From December 2023 to November 2024, 319 under-18s in England were placed in out-of-area mental health beds because no local bed was available — nearly one child every single day, separated from their family and community at their most vulnerable.

What Young People Are Telling Us

Both reports converge on a clear message: young people want to be heard. They want adults to understand the pressures they face — not dismiss them. They want access to support that is timely, affordable, and non-judgmental. And they want to be part of the conversation about how to make things better.

What This Means for Parents

As a parent, these statistics can feel overwhelming. But knowledge is power. Understanding the landscape your child is growing up in helps you:

• Normalise the conversation: If your child is struggling, they are not alone. These are systemic challenges, not personal failures.
• Advocate for support: Whether at school, through your GP, or in your community, knowing the gaps helps you push for better provision.
• Stay connected: The most powerful thing you can do is maintain a warm, open relationship with your child. Connection is the foundation of resilience.

Looking Forward

The data is clear: young people's mental health needs urgent, sustained attention — not just awareness campaigns, but real investment in services, schools, and communities. Early intervention, reduced waiting times, and a focus on prevention rather than crisis response are all essential.

But change also starts at home. Every conversation, every moment of connection, every time you listen without judgment — it matters. You are already part of the solution.