'Generation Covid'?

Briefing paper
1 Mar 2021

This is the first of three briefings developed by Youth Access to support our members, the wider youth sector, commissioners and policymakers to anticipate and respond to the scale of need among younger generations over the coming year and beyond. The series explores socio-economic factors impacting young people's mental health in the wake of the pandemic.

This briefing paper pulls together research from a wide range of sources to summarise the major socio-economic challenges facing young people in light of the pandemic, and their impact on mental health.

It looks at the major socio-economic issues facing young people, and their impact on mental health, following nearly a year of unprecedented disruption to the UK. The information contained is based on the most up-to-date studies and evidence, as well as insights from Youth Access members, and covers areas including education, income and debt, poverty, housing, and employment.

Each issue is looked at in turn, alongside a consideration of the specific needs of young people who face particularly large obstacles. The briefing does not cover every aspect of young people’s lives – indeed, the full impact of the crisis won’t be known for years to come – but nonetheless attempts to take a broad view of the issues, based on the available and emerging evidence.