Most people living in the UK have experienced a mental health problem, say the Mental Health Foundation.

This week 8-14 May 2017 is Mental Health Awareness Week and a new study by the Mental Health Foundation shows that 65% of Britons have experienced a mental health condition with thee young most impacted. 

Those between the ages of 18 - 54 were significantly more likely to say they have experienced a mental health problem at 70% compared with 58% of people over the age of 55 years. 

Over a quarter of people (26%) say they have had a panic attack and between a third and a half (42%) say they have experienced depression.

Women are more likely to say that they have experienced a mental health problem than men (70% of women compared to 60% of men).

Nearly three quarters of people (73%) living in the lowest household income bracket (less than £1,200 pm) say they have experienced a mental health problem compared to 59% in the highest household income bracket (over £3,701 pm). 

A substantial majority of those out of work (85%) saying that they have experienced a mental health problem compared to 66% in work and 53% of people who have retired. 

Jenny Edwards CBE, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: “Our report lays out the sheer scale of the problem. This isn’t an issue that just affects a minority.

“This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to give people some of the tools to move from surviving to thriving. The barometer of any nation is the health and happiness of its people. We have made great strides in the health of our bodies, we now need to achieve the same for the health of our minds.”  

The Mental Health Foundation has set out a five-point plan to create a thriving UK – a plan they say requires us to prioritise our mental health as much as we do our physical health.