How does poverty affect children’s mental health?
When families struggle to afford the basic essentials, these challenges can affect a child's physical and mental wellbeing.
Currently 1.6 million children (11% of all children) live in low-income households that struggle to afford essentials like warm winter coats and fresh fruit and vegetables.
For children growing up in poverty, going without the things that others take for granted can contribute to increased anxiety or low mood and self-esteem.
4.5 million
That's 31%
100,000
The Children’s Society states that children living around debt are five times more likely to be unhappy than children who are not living around debt.
Comparison can make these struggles even harder - whether comparing to wealthier peers or other young people on social media.
Young children growing up in lower income households may not understand why their lives are different to others.
They might not understand why they don’t get the same gifts or why they can’t go on school trips.
Each of these experiences can cause a child to have lower self-esteem or struggle with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
What is the extent of poverty in the UK?
It’s easy to think that poverty happens elsewhere. But it’s affecting children in your community.
One in three children in the UK - or nine in every classroom - are now growing up in poverty. This is the highest ever number of children living in poverty in the UK.
Is the risk of poverty the same for everyone?
The number of children living in poverty differs across region and ethnic group. Unfortunately, those living in households where the head of the house is either Bangladeshi or Pakistani have a higher rate of poverty than those from white ethnic backgrounds (2021/ 2022).
And when we consider where child poverty is increasing the most in the UK, regional data shows that areas in the Midlands and Northern England have been the hardest hit.
Explore the impact of child poverty in your local area
Right now, a devastating number of children are going without the safe and happy childhoods they deserve. And thousands of parents are struggling to get the support they need.
We understand the importance of good mental health. That’s why we have thousands of frontline workers supporting children and their families every day.
Whether services like the Blues Programme that reaches children and young people, or Parent Talk to help struggling parents, our support services address a range of issues. But we can only do this because of the generous support from people like you.
Last year we received 3,552 referrals for children and young people. I know that without the work we do, these young people can struggle to get the support they need... about 98% of people report successful outcomes when their interventions end.
Tina, a Service Coordinator at a children’s and young people’s service
Last year, we reached 687,755 children, young people, and their families. And with your help, we can continue reaching the people that need us.
Agree? Email your MP.
The Blues Programme
The Blues programme is a six-week wellbeing programme for young people aged 13-19.
It teaches emotional resilience and helps to reduce low mood and anxious thoughts.
Parent Talk
Parent Talk is our online hub for down-to-earth parenting advice including topics such as mental and emotional wellbeing.
Parents can browse our advice articles or speak directly to a coach through our one-to-one live chat.
Writing for Mental Health
Our writing for Mental Health includes two toolkits:
- One for young people aged 11-18
- One for adults working with young people.
Each toolkit includes printable activities and ideas to get young people writing to express how they feel.
Our services
Our 372 local services offer a huge range of support when you need it.
You can browse out services by location or topic.
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