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1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England1.
1 in 5 young people in England (aged 8 to 25) had a probable mental disorder in 20232, up from 1 in 9 in 2017.
Half of all mental health problems have been established by the age of 14, rising to 75% by the age of 243.
Mental health problems cost the UK economy at least £117.9 billion per year (5% of UK GDP in 2019)4.
Bebbington and McManus (2020). Revisiting the one in four.
NHS England (2023). Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023.
Mental Health Task Force (2016). The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.
David McDaid and A-La Park (2022). The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK.
For evidence of the positive impact of movement on our mental health, see the Benefits of movement on our mental health.
ASICS’ research found it takes just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of movement to begin feeling the mood-boosting effects1.
Physical activity allows for safe spaces to have conversations around mental health. As it isn't labelled as ‘mental health’, it can reduce stigma2.
People who’ve never received mental health support before, prefer less formal activity-based support such as physical activity, arts and creative therapies2.
Stubbs (2022). The Global State of Mind Index.
Mind (2022). Exploring our priority audiences through a physical activity lens.
2 in 5 people from ethnically diverse communities feel they have fewer opportunities to participate in physical activity1.
Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, and African communities experience the highest levels of inactivity, poverty and stigma around mental health2.
64% of young people say taking part in physical activity has a positive impact on their mental health. It is about the right activity, at the right time and in the right environment3.
Buddle (2022). Reaching different audiences – Ethnically diverse communities.
Various sources: Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2022): Deepening poverty, British Asian Trust: Mental health in Pakistan, and Runnymeade: Poverty, Inequality and Ethnicity.