The Crisis and Hope in Youth Resilience
Written by Holly Waddell, Associate Director at ImpactEd Evaluation.
Today's young people face unprecedented challenges that test their resilience and confidence - qualities essential for thriving in an increasingly complex world. The latest research paints a stark picture of the hurdles they face, yet also reveals their remarkable determination to succeed.
The mental health crisis among school aged children has reached alarming levels.
One in five children and young people in England now struggle with a probable mental disorder, according to 2023 NHS data.
Referrals to crisis care teams and mental health services have hit record highs, while the high-stakes environment of GCSE examinations, with heavy emphasis on final exams, continues to fuel anxiety and mental health concerns among students.
The weight of economic uncertainty
The numbers are sobering: 4.3 million UK children are growing up in poverty in the UK. This harsh reality has contributed to the widest educational attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged pupils in over a decade in 2022/23. Young people's concerns extend beyond immediate needs - over half worry they may never achieve financial security. The ripple effects touch every aspect of their lives, from job prospects to housing affordability and transportation access.
The attendance challenge
Post Covid-19 pandemic, school attendance has become a critical issue. Approximately 1.6 million pupils - or 21.2% - are now classified as persistently absent. Our own research at ImpactEd Group shows that a strong sense of school belonging drives attendance, highlighting the vital connection between emotional wellbeing and educational engagement.
The Digital dilemma
Young people also face a paradoxical challenge in the digital realm. While screen time and social media use continue to surge - raising concerns about self-esteem, safety, and wellbeing - digital poverty widens. This creates a troubling gap: despite growing demand for digital skills and AI literacy in the workforce, many young people lack access to essential technology and training.
Schools under strain
Educational institutions are caught in a perfect storm. Since the pandemic, school staff have taken on expanded emotional support and pastoral duties, often feeling underprepared for these crucial responsibilities. Meanwhile, school funding fails to keep pace with rising costs, forcing difficult choices between basic provisions and addressing these new challenges.
Hope on the horizon
Amidst these challenges, young people's ambition shines through. Two-thirds maintain determination to achieve their life goals, and they believe strongly in adults' power to positively transform their lives. This optimism demands action from us all.
While systemic changes and policy reforms are essential for improving young people's lives and education, we cannot wait for these alone. Every professional working with young people must be equipped to nurture resilience and confidence to support mental health and wellbeing. The challenges are significant, but so too is our collective capacity to meet them. This is why the Game Plan programme that High Performance Foundation is developing is so needed. Building the foundations for a positive future for young people, as individuals as well as a collective, is at stake.
About the Author
Holly Waddell is an Associate Director at ImpactEd Evaluation, part of the ImpactEd Group.
ImpactEd Group supports education and purpose-driven organisations to maximise their potential, increasing impact and operational sustainability.
ImpactEd Group is made up of ImpactEd Consulting, ImpactEd Evaluation, ImpactEd Philanthropy and ImpactEd Data and AI. For more information, please contact us at hello@impactedgroup.uk
Note: It is important to note that research into the resilience and confidence of children and young people, alongside accompanying factors, is ongoing and new evidence is continually emerging which should be taken into account alongside this article.