Young people in England’s most deprived coastal towns, such as Blackpool, Tendring, and Liverpool, are up to three times more likely to suffer from undiagnosed mental health conditions than their peers elsewhere, according to a new study by the University of Essex. The analysis of NHS data spanning 2018–2023 revealed a stark “coastal mental health gap” that persists even after adjusting for economic deprivation.
Experts say that these coastal areas suffer from geographic and economic isolation, crumbling infrastructure, underfunded public services, and poor-quality housing, all factors that contribute to deteriorating it among young residents. Researchers from UCL stress that without targeted investment and community-led action, the situation will only worsen.
Local campaigners are calling for youth inclusion in decision-making, sustained public investment, and devolved funding to tackle the issue where it’s most acute.
A National Mental Health Slide: One in Five Adults Now Affected
Beyond the coast, the entire country is grappling with worsening it . According to new NHS and It Foundation data, one in five adults in England now suffers from common m health conditions, a significant increase from one in six just ten years ago.
The impact is uneven. Adults in the most deprived areas are 60% more likely to report poor mental condition than those in affluent regions. Meanwhile, young adults aged 16–24 are among the hardest hit, with nearly 25% reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Researchers link this growing crisis to multiple socio-economic pressures: rising debt, job insecurity, unaffordable housing, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Its Foundation notes that these issues are not simply individual but structural—rooted in inequality and austerity-driven policy.
Experts Demand Immediate Government Action
Mental health charities and public health experts are now urging the UK government to act decisively. Its Foundation has described the current NHS data as a “wake-up call,” calling for cross-departmental prevention strategies, expanded Its teams, and deep investment in social infrastructure.
Key recommendations include tackling root causes such as poverty, unemployment, insecure housing, and lack of youth support services. Without bold policy reform, campaigners warn the country risks entrenching health inequalities and further straining already-overburdened NHS systems.
Grassroots voices are also rising, particularly from coastal towns, urging the government to give communities more power and funding autonomy to design services that reflect their unique challenges.
