A new study by QR Code Generator reveals that Gen Z are the most frequent users of NHS mental health services, with 524,088 individuals aged 16 to 29 accessing support in April 2025. Millennials show the fastest growth in use, with a 35% increase in contacts over three years, reaching 435,205 by April 2025. The analysis, based on NHS England statistics, highlights a 20.1% rise in total mental health service users across all age groups, with 2,124,102 people seeking support over the same period.
Gen Z led usage with 524,088 contacts in April 2025. This represents a 14.6% increase from 2024 and a 21.4% rise since 2023. Millennials followed with 435,205 contacts, a 21.6% year-on-year increase and a 35% surge since 2023. Gen Alpha recorded 518,304 contacts, marking a 7.9% rise from 2024 and a 21.5% increase over three years. Gen X reached 264,289 contacts, with a 12.5% rise from 2024 and 17.9% over three years. Baby Boomers reported 231,341 contacts, reflecting a 4.4% rise from 2024 and a 7.1% increase since 2023. The Silent Generation recorded 146,862 contacts, with a slight 0.5% rise from 2024 and a 0.6% decrease since 2023.
Among children and young people, those aged 11 to 15 accounted for 296,156 contacts in April 2025, representing 13.94% of all service users and a 17% rise over three years. Children aged 6 to 10 followed with 188,357 contacts, an 11.8% increase from 2024 and a 33.4% rise since 2023. Among older teens and young adults, 16 to 19 year olds had 184,080 contacts, up 7.2% from 2024 and 13% since 2023. People aged 25 to 29 recorded 172,759 contacts, reflecting a 20% rise from 2024 and 29.9% over three years. Those aged 30 to 34 saw 168,640 contacts, marking a 21.3% rise from 2024 and a 34.3% increase since 2023.
The surge in use among Millennials, particularly those in their early thirties, aligns with growing societal pressures, including economic uncertainty and workplace stress. NHS England reports a 47% rise in young people treated for eating disorders compared to pre-pandemic levels. Anxiety remains the most common referral reason among children and teenagers, with 204,526 new referrals for anxiety recorded among those aged 17 and under in 2023 to 2024, more than double pre-pandemic levels.
Gen Z’s high usage may reflect greater openness to seeking help, influenced by reduced stigma and advocacy on social media. A 2023 survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of UK adults felt overwhelmed by stress, with younger generations reporting higher levels. Telehealth has also contributed, with 30% of Gen Z anxiety diagnoses made via remote consultations, according to athenahealth data.
Older generations show slower growth in service use. Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation may still face stigma or prefer self-help approaches. Gen X, while showing increased engagement, remains less active than younger groups, with some individuals valuing self-reliance, as noted by Oaks Integrated Care.
NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said that the NHS is providing support for more children and young people than ever before. However, service capacity remains stretched, with 270,300 children still awaiting support in 2022 to 2023, according to the Children’s Commissioner. The government aims to extend Mental Health Support Teams to cover 50% of pupils by March 2025 to address the growing demand.
