Research finds that only ten per cent of young people love themselves completely with a significant proportion struggling with their mental health. Music is a powerful force to lift their mood, reduce isolation and provides inspiration, they say.
A huge 95 per cent of young adults have felt anxious in the last year, with over one-fifth reporting experiencing these feelings all the time, new research from Mind and Direct Line Insurance has found.
Almost half of young adults (46 per cent) have felt low over the last year - with over one-quarter (26 per cent) of 18-year-olds unwilling to discuss mental health and six per cent saying they feel “uncomfortable discussing their mental health with anyone”.
The research found that young people are experiencing a sense of dislocation with 70 per cent saying that they feel lonely even when they are with peers, friends, classmates or work colleagues. Worryingly only ten per cent of those surveyed said that they “loved themselves completely”.
“We are deeply concerned by the findings of this research,” said Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind. “The fact that only ten per cent of young adults love themselves highlights the urgent need for support and resources to help this young generation navigate the complex challenges they face.”
Many of those surveyed said that they often turn to music when they need a mental lift. Fifty-nine per cent said that music improves their mood and one-quarter said it makes them feel less lonely. Two thirds of respondents also said that musicians are a force for good in opening up conversations about mental health – quoting Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi as inspirational.
With half of young people experiencing poor mental health finding it difficult to discuss this with other people, music is seen as a vital outlet.
Niamh O’Connor, 23, said: “When I was diagnosed with anorexia over six years ago and was hospitalised for the first time, I found a lot of comfort in music. Whenever I felt upset or anxious, I would sit down at the piano in the hospital and play. Music became the only thing that would help take my mind off everything that was going on in my life.
“I was never one to talk openly about my feelings, but my therapist helped me to open up by asking me to play a piece of music that reflected my inner thoughts. Now I am able to use my experiences to create conversations with friends and we discuss how song melodies and lyrics resonate with us. This gives us the opportunity to talk openly about our mental health and support one another through music.”
You can find sources of local support through this website. Many of the Pathfinder partners run social activities, including singalong groups and singing for wellbeing, as part of their support offering.
Audio Active operates in various locations across West Sussex, offering free music sessions to young people, many of which have a wellbeing slant, such as Room to Rant for young men.
