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To be shocked that over half a million people under the age of 35 are out of work due to long-term sickness

406 replies

puncheur · 24/12/2023 16:29

I had no idea. These numbers are extraordinary. 560k people between the ages of 16 and 34 economically inactive due to long term illness.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/24/500000-under-35s-out-of-work-long-term-illness-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

More than 500,000 under-35s in UK out of work due to long-term illness

Experts link 44% increase in four years to a growing mental health crisis and underinvestment in health services

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/24/500000-under-35s-out-of-work-long-term-illness-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

OP posts:
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Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:31

Yes, it's shockingly sad that so many young people are dealing with long term illness. Is that what you were getting at?

ToBeOrNotToBee · 24/12/2023 16:32

If the NHS wasn't such a state and people could get the help they needed, when they needed to stop things becoming chronic, this wouldn't be such a big thing.

AppleChristsBirthdayMacchiato · 24/12/2023 16:32

I wonder what percentage is due to Long Covid.

JanglingJack · 24/12/2023 16:34

35 is quite a high marker for a young person to be fair.
Half a million is a drop in the ocean really when you think of conditions that are out there affect anyone regardless of age.

AutumnCrow · 24/12/2023 16:34

I wonder how many have back damage from caring work / responsibilities that the NHS refuses to treat?

Confrontayshunme · 24/12/2023 16:35

I know half a dozen people dealing with POTS and complications from covid, as well as another few with long term mental health problems. They want nothing more than to be well. They feel betrayed by their bodies and minds plus a society that says their value is based on whether they can work or not. It is terribly sad.

OneTC · 24/12/2023 16:36

How many would you expect there to be?

Sususudio · 24/12/2023 16:36

16- to 34-year-olds were now “as likely to report a work-limiting condition as someone aged 45-54 years 10 years ago”.

I think that's quite shocking.

mumda · 24/12/2023 16:38

JanglingJack · 24/12/2023 16:34

35 is quite a high marker for a young person to be fair.
Half a million is a drop in the ocean really when you think of conditions that are out there affect anyone regardless of age.

May I refer you to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/help-with-your-housing-benefit-claim/check-how-much-housing-benefit-you-can-get/

This explains what the govt thinks young people are under 35 in terms of housing need.

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 24/12/2023 16:40

My nephew included. He is 34 and decided that his perfectly normal, quite well paid, ordinary post office job was not good enough and he would rather do nothing/be an internet sensation.

His mental health has deteriorated rapidly, he is absolutely without anchor and his mum probably won't ever be able to get him out of her house, able or willing to live independently.

Something went wrong somewhere. It's hard to get past the usual "kids these days" mindset. But there is nothing intrinsically wrong, he just "knows he is worth more than that".

I noticed it in teens I taught too, 10 years ago. Back then being "something in the City" was the end goal for some. Yet they did nothing to make themselves attractive for such a job.

I have no idea what one thing, combination of modern life supports this faulty thinking. But it is quite sad, frightening!

Harvestfestivalknickers · 24/12/2023 16:40

That's really sad for those unable to work. For me, my 20's and 30's were enjoyable workwise, I had lots of fun jobs working with people I'm still in contact with 30 years later. I think the social side of work can be just as important for young people.

Crooklodge · 24/12/2023 16:40

I'm not surprised in the slightest, the NHS is an absolute shit show.

I'm 37 now but have had a debilitating neurological condition hit me out of nowhere when I was 34, alongside a progressive neurological condition I've had for 12+ years. It's been an absolute battle to get anyone to listen to me, 18 months for an urgent referral. There's fuck all help out there. I'm now on a 26 month waitlist to hopefully be able to walk again.

Sick folk will never get help and have any chance of recovery while folks are tottering off to the drs for simple colds etc. Something you see on here all the time is how out of control some people's health anxiety is, they need intensive therapy but it's just not available.

Spendonsend · 24/12/2023 16:40

My friend called the gp about terrible back pain and was told the nhs will no longer investigate or treat back pain so I cant help feeling more and more are going to struggle with work. Although i note there is a big rise in mental health as the cause. Which is also not treated very usefully /well.

megletthesecond · 24/12/2023 16:43

I'm not surprised. My DD may well end up one of them due to MH issues.

I've been trying to get her help from CAMHS for a decade and she's now pretty much dropped out of school. If CAMHS was funded she could have been supported and we wouldn't be in this mess.

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 24/12/2023 16:43

ToBeOrNotToBee · 24/12/2023 16:32

If the NHS wasn't such a state and people could get the help they needed, when they needed to stop things becoming chronic, this wouldn't be such a big thing.

This. They are probably all languishing on years-long waiting lists.

Octavia64 · 24/12/2023 16:44

Doesn't surprise me.

My DD dropped out of education due to hashimotos thyroiditis and it was only diagnosed and treated due to my then H having private medical coverage.

When she finishes uni she'll try to get a job but as she uses a wheelchair and is in too much pain to work full time I doubt employers will be falling over themselves.

AgnesX · 24/12/2023 16:45

Consider yourself fortunate if you don't fall into that category.

Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:47

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 16:44

There seems to be a large increase in mental health issues.

The Government are on it

People deemed unable to work ‘face having benefits reduced under DWP plan’ | Benefits | The Guardian

On it in what way?

Drastically underfunding mental health services for years and then punishing people for having unsupported or unresolved mental health problems? Give it a few more years and they'll just open up the asylums again eh. That'll teach those young people.

JanglingJack · 24/12/2023 16:47

mumda · 24/12/2023 16:38

Yes but that's a Tory governments opinion.

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 16:48

Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:47

On it in what way?

Drastically underfunding mental health services for years and then punishing people for having unsupported or unresolved mental health problems? Give it a few more years and they'll just open up the asylums again eh. That'll teach those young people.

Punishing people who can't work.
Penalising them

I don't think they understand the barriers people face

Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:50

cakeorwine · 24/12/2023 16:48

Punishing people who can't work.
Penalising them

I don't think they understand the barriers people face

Ah ok, sorry @cakeorwine I misread what you meant and was a bit oversensitive in taking it the wrong way.

Yes, agree the government are bastards.

AgnesX · 24/12/2023 16:50

Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:47

On it in what way?

Drastically underfunding mental health services for years and then punishing people for having unsupported or unresolved mental health problems? Give it a few more years and they'll just open up the asylums again eh. That'll teach those young people.

I think the poster was being sarcastic.

FreshWinterMorning · 24/12/2023 16:52

@puncheur

Are you coming at this from an 'isn't it worrying and sad that so many young people are so ill physically, and/or mentally - that they are off work on long-term sick' angle?

OR from a 'what could possibly be wrong with them, they're just kids. What utter snowflakes!' angle?

I have a feeling it's the latter, and if it is, then shame on you. Hmm

festivepains · 24/12/2023 16:54

Floopani · 24/12/2023 16:31

Yes, it's shockingly sad that so many young people are dealing with long term illness. Is that what you were getting at?

I agree. I wish the best for them all. I dealt with long term illness as a youngster. It took its mental toll as all my mates were out and about and getting on with life.