[00:00:00] Are federal budget cuts harmful to the mental health of young people? Researchers say yes. British researchers examined trends in young people's mental health over time in comparison to government reductions in funding. British researchers studied mental health trends in 20,000 young people aged 16 to 25, randomly selected from 12 regions across the UK Participants completed measures from the British Household Panel Survey and UK Household Longitudinal Survey. Researchers also analyzed government budget reductions during the same period from 2011 to 2017. Results Researchers found a noticeable dip in young people's mental health over this time. They found that due to the low perceived need of young people, their services are the first to be cut. When budgets are reduced, cuts to transport and children's services quietly fueled a greater decline, widening the gap between regions. Areas with the largest reductions in funding displayed more decline in mental health outcomes. Researchers conclude that young people's mental health must be a central priority for policy and budget makers. When support systems shrink, so does well being. Let's work together to build brighter futures, starting with our children. Stay informed. Raise your voices. Vote for a society that invests in its youth.
