07 May 2026
A major new survey of more than 1,200 11–25-year-olds in St Albans paints an alarming picture of how young people are navigating growing up today, with many describing life as “scary”, “confusing” and “stressful”.
Over half of respondents said mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing young people, while one in six cite that life feels difficult right now. When asked to describe being a young person today, negative words appear hundreds of times with “stressful”, “hard” and “pressure” dominating. School and college pressures top the list of concerns.
Conducted by St Albans-based charity Youth Talk, the Growing Up Survey is being released for Mental Health Awareness Week (May 11-17) as part of its new campaign, All About You. Reflecting this year’s theme of action, the campaign highlights the stark reality of growing up today, the urgent need for face-to-face counselling and calls on the community to act, so that no young person is left to struggle alone.
The data points to pressures increasing with age. Older respondents cited mental health concerns as one of the biggest challenges, while worries about money and future prospects climb sharply. Concerns about world events such as war, climate and politics also become more prominent. By early adulthood, over one in five say life feels difficult right now, almost twice the level reported by the youngest respondents.
Respondents include boys, girls, and a small but important group of young people who identify as non-binary, use a different term, or prefer not to say. Within this group, mental health and identity or fitting in are among the most commonly reported challenges, and nearly one in three say life feels difficult right now.
Girls are also more likely than boys to highlight challenges across a range of areas, including friendships, social media, family relationships and particularly mental health.
Overall, boys are less likely to identify these issues, reflecting a potential difficulty in recognising or talking about their struggles. This is something Youth Talk sees in its day-to-day work with young people and will be focusing on this in the coming year.
When facing the challenges of growing up today, most young people rely on simple, everyday strategies such as listening to music, meeting and talking to friends and spending time alone – highlighting the importance of peer support and personal space.
In contrast, fewer turn to trusted adults like teachers, and social media plays a limited role as a source of support, unsurprisingly given that over 1 in 3 of those surveyed cited it as a challenge.
A clear message emerged about the type of professional help young people want, with nearly half opting for one-to-one support in a private room as their first choice, rising to almost two-thirds among those aged 19 to 25. In contrast, digital options such as apps and online programmes were far less popular, with less than 5% opting for online 1:1 counselling.
And despite schools being a key source of support, many young people turn away from school-based services, potentially due to concerns about confidentiality and whether conversations will remain private. Youth Talk cites that trust and privacy are crucial in whether young people feel confident to seek help.
Many respondents said adults should listen without judgment, rather than trying to “fix” problems or compare their experiences to previous generations. With friends and family being the most commonly considered to be the first port of call, it’s critical they are equipped to respond in the most knowledgeable, engaged and supportive way.
David Barker, CEO of Youth Talk, said the findings highlight an urgent need for action: “What we’re hearing from young people is tough – but it’s also incredibly clear. They’re not asking for quick fixes or more apps. They’re asking for someone to really listen, without judgement, in a confidential space where they feel safe and understood.
“This survey shines a light on just how much pressure many young people are carrying, and how that pressure builds as they get older. But it also reminds us that the right support, at the right time, can make a life-changing and in some cases, life-saving difference.
“We’re seeing that demand first-hand. It’s the highest we’ve ever experienced, and it continues to grow. More young people than ever are reaching out, and more are waiting for support – because quite simply, they need someone to talk to.
“That’s why services like Youth Talk matter so much. Weekly, face-to-face counselling with an expert gives young people the time and space to talk things through, make sense of what they’re feeling, and start to move forward. It’s not a luxury – it’s essential.
“We can all play a role. Whether that’s listening better, supporting someone close to us, or helping to make sure services like ours are there when they’re needed.
“With demand rising, our funding from Hertfordshire County Council being cut and fundraising becoming tougher, regular support from our community has never been more important. A small monthly donation can help ensure a young person isn’t left to struggle alone – and that when they’re ready to talk, someone is there to listen.”
At the heart of the campaign is a powerful new film, created by Youth Talk and filmed in collaboration with young people from Brilliant Film Academy in St Albans, featuring those supported by the charity. It offers a raw and honest insight into what growing up today really feels like.
The film will be showcased at the Odyssey Cinema for one week and made available online alongside information and support for young people, families and friends on the new Youth Talk website.
Youth Talk provides free, professional 1:1 counselling and confidential support to any young person aged between 13-25 who lives in or is in education or employment in St Albans, Harpenden and surrounding villages.
A donation of just £5 per month can help provide ongoing, face-to-face psychodynamic counselling to a young person in need for a year.
There are also opportunities for local businesses to support the charity by becoming corporate sponsors. For more information, to donate or to get involved visit youthtalk.org.uk
