The mental health crisis in London is only getting worse, with more people than ever struggling with their mental health in the capital.
There are a number of reasons why someone who lives in London might suffer from poor mental health, including the rise in the cost of living, the pressures that come with working in a busy city and a lack of available mental health services in the area.
Below are some statistics on the mental health crisis in London, which indicate just how prevalent poor mental health in the city is.
It is now estimated that 1 in every 4 Londoners suffers from mental health issues [1]. In addition to this, it is estimated that one-third of all Londoners suffer from multiple mental health issues at the same time, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, PTSD and a range of addiction issues [1].
In fact, almost 1 million working age adults across London live with common disorders such as depression and anxiety, with anxiety rates being the highest they have ever been [2].
An estimated 4.1 million people across London suffer from other mental health issues, which does include addiction issues and co-dependency issues.
Another study found that of these 4.1 million people, 85% were aged 18-24 years old [3]. Of these individuals aged 18 – 24 years old who suffer from mental health issues, 50% suffered from frequent low mood, and 46% admitted that they feel overwhelmed on a regular basis [3].
Of those surveyed, a staggering 17% of individuals who suffered from mental health issues admitted to using drugs and alcohol in an attempt to cope [3].
Sadly, 14% of these individuals had suffered from suicidal thoughts and 10% had admitted to self-harming in the past [3].
Unfortunately, mental health-related A&E admissions reached 275,000 in 2024, with a 50% increase in 999 calls to 105,000 calls per year between 2023 and 2024 [4].
These statistics are not only for adults across London. Sadly, 1 in 10 children who live in London (approximately 111,000 children) suffer from diagnosed mental health issues each year [2].
Likewise, hospital admissions with mental health issues for those under the age of 16 years old have also increased by 65% between 2012 and 2022 [5].
In fact, hospital admissions for girls aged 11 – 15 years old increased by a staggering 113% between 2012 and 2022 with many studies citing Covid-19 as a key factor for the worsening mental health in our young people living in London [5].
There are a number of different reasons why people’s mental health in London is getting progressively worse.
Many people cite the stress of city life as the main reason why mental health is getting worse, including the high cost of living and rising rent and mortgage rates.
Likewise, London is becoming increasingly busy and noisy. For this reason, overcrowding and noise pollution is having a dramatic impact on those living in London and their mental health.
Likewise, with an increasing population [6], pollution in the city is worsening and is having a negative impact on everyone’s mental health.
The work culture in London is also having an impact on Londoner’s mental health. The pressure and stress caused by work has never been worse, with increasingly tight deadlines, more competition and inflation on the rise.
If you couple that with the cost of living crisis and pressures of living in city life, then it is not hard for you to see how quickly things can escalate.
Social isolation in the city is also one of the leading causes of worsening mental health issues.
Despite the rising population levels across London and the rest of the UK, more and more people are feeling lonely.
There are a number of reasons why this might be the case, including the fact that people don’t tend to stay in London long due to the high living costs and inability to get on the property ladder.
Despite the fact that London is one of the wealthiest places to live in the UK, a number of areas across London are some of the most deprived areas.
More and more people in London are struggling to find a good job and due to the high cost of living, this leads to depression, anxiety and poverty.
In addition to this, mental health services in London are also more stretched than ever, meaning that people who live in London are less likely to gain access to the mental health services they need.
These services are overstretched, unevenly distributed and chronically underfunded.
Finally, homelessness and substance abuse is a huge driving factor when it comes to poor mental health in London.
There is no doubt that suffering from homelessness and substance abuse has a direct impact on your mental health, whether that’s due to the social isolation that comes with both issues and the chemicals in substances that alter the brain, often leading to a dual diagnosis.
In a vibrant city like London, it is important that you prioritise your own mental health where you can before you start to suffer from mental health issues.
Likewise, if you do suffer from mental health issues then below is a list of tips and tricks on how to improve your mental health issues.
London is full of green spaces, which can be great for your mental health. In fact, numerous studies have shown that spending frequent time in the countryside and within nature can help to reduce a range of mental health issues including anxiety, stress and depression.
There are a number of green spaces and parks within the London city centre, including Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Regents Park, Kew Gardens, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Palace Park and Embankment Park.
If you want to get further outside of London than the city centre, then why not venture into the Surrey Hills, Kent or Essex where you might find more wildlife and greenspace.
Exercise and spending time outside should also go hand in hand. So, why not spend time outside and take in London’s local parks by going on a run?
You could join a local running group or simply opt for some light exercise outside using one of London’s many outdoor gyms.
If you are suffering from a mental health crisis and are a danger to either yourself or to someone else, then you should call 999 and seek immediate help.
However, if you are suffering from mental health issues that are ongoing, then you should speak to your local GP about your symptoms and how you feel.
You can also engage with NHS Talking Therapies, which is free cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and is available via self-referral across most of London.
There are also a number of mental health charities available across London, including Mind.
Likewise, there are numerous places in London where you can practise mindfulness.
For example, you could practise yoga and meditation, or you could join a local yoga group at your local community centre or gym.
There are also a number of religious buildings across London which are open for you to practise mindfulness in, including the London Buddhist Centre.
Engaging in a digital detox when you live in an area like London can do you a world of good.
A digital detox is when you go ‘offline’ and put your phone and other devices down.
This can work wonders for anyone who lives in London, and they might rely on their phones more than people who live in other parts of the country do for the likes of City Mapper and Uber.
There are a number of digital detox cafes across London and a number of libraries that you will be able to visit which are fantastic for focussing and spending some quiet time.
Likewise, you might be able to download an app such as Forest or Freedom, which allows you to limit the amount of time you use on your screen.
Whilst you might not initially think it, engaging in culture can work wonders for your mental health, and you will never be short of a bit of culture in London.
Engaging in culture can help you to see the bigger picture, as well as meet new people, which might help you to overcome anxiety or loneliness.
In London, you could visit a free museum, gallery or attend a creative class such as poetry, creative writing, pottery, painting or drawing.
Not only will these activities increase the dopamine in your brain, but they will also help you to get out of the house and socialise.
There is no denying that there is a strong link between mental health issues and addiction issues in London.
In fact, many people who suffer from mental health issues in London go on to use substances as a crutch, and likewise those who suffer from addiction issues go on to suffer from mental health issues later down the line.
When someone suffers from a mental health issue alongside an addiction issue, they are said to be suffering from a dual diagnosis.
More and more people are suffering from a dual diagnosis. In fact, according to a study carried out by NIDA, approximately half of all individuals who suffer from a mental health issue also experience a substance use disorder [6].
There are now also more studies than ever which highlight the fragmented care individuals receive when they receive a dual diagnosis.
This is because mental health services and substance use services often work and function independently of one another, making it more difficult for those suffering to get the help they really need.
If you suffer from a mental health issue in London and develop a substance use disorder as a result of your mental health issues, then speak to a member of the team at Rehab 4 Addiction.
Our friendly and helpful team will be on hand to advise you and point you in the right direction for addiction treatment in London.
Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction will never put any pressure on you to undergo treatment or attend a rehab centre.
We will only ever provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
Speak to a member of our team today by calling us on 0800 140 4690 or by visiting us by searching for www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
[1] https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases-6025
[5] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(24)00333-X/fulltext
[6] https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E09000001/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
