Mental illness in youth linked to poorer future

New Zealanders who suffer mental illness in early adulthood face a range of negative economic outcomes at the age of 30, Otago University researchers say.

Their study, published in the August issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that people who had episodes of psychiatric disorder between the ages of 18 and 25 were, by 30, less likely to be working full time, earning less money, and have a lower standard of living than people who'd not had mental health problems.

Researchers studied 950 Christchurch-born people as part of the Christchurch health and development study.

Participants were asked whether they suffered from symptoms of mental illness, including depression, anxiety disorder, phobias, and drug or alcohol misuse.

The researchers found that psychiatric disorders during young adulthood were common, with half of the participants having had at least one psychiatric disorder.

More than half of this group had had two or more episodes of illness.

The researchers found that those had suffered psychiatric disorder were significantly less likely to be working, were more likely to be working part time, were more likely to be receiving welfare, and were earning less than those who had no history of mental problems.

Lead researcher Dr Sheree Gibb said: "Our study reveals that psychiatric disorder during young adulthood is common, and is predictive of a range of negative life outcomes including reduced participation in the workforce, lower income, and a lower standard of living.

"This suggests a need for further improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness, in order to reduce these negative outcomes."