Study finds most London youth with mental health disorders lack official diagnosis
Research shows that fewer than one in fifteen London teenagers meeting criteria for a mental disorder receive a formal diagnosis, even after seeking help.
Researchers examined interviews with 2,000 seventeen-year-olds and NHS data, finding that diagnosis rates for mental health conditions in south London increased from 2.6% in 2009 to 4.4% in 2024. However, fewer than one in fifteen youths who meet criteria for a disorder receive a formal diagnosis, and among those who seek help, under one in four are diagnosed. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, identified the largest diagnosis gaps for generalized anxiety disorder and for individuals with multiple conditions.
Dr Stephanie Lewis highlighted the need to strengthen mental-health services so more young people can be matched with disorder-specific care. Senior author Professor Andrea Danese emphasized that without a diagnosis, NHS treatments cannot be appropriately targeted. An NHS England spokesperson noted the rise in youth mental-health contacts and the rollout of school-based support for six million pupils.
Why it matters
Without a diagnosis, many young Londoners cannot access the specific mental-health treatments they need.
How this story developed
- Oct 1 UK Review on ADHD and Autism Delayed Amid Welfare Reform Timing Concerns
- Oct 4 Researchers at King’s College London and health firm Zoe are recruiting 250,000 UK volunteers for the Prospect-UK study to investigate the surge in early-onset bowel cancer.
- Oct 6 The project is now described as launching nationwide rather than remaining in the planning stage.
- Oct 10 The Department of Health announced plans to regulate private assessment providers and ban their advertising.
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