A new long-term study shows that severe mental health problems in childhood can significantly limit a person’s ability to work as an adult.
Conducted by the UK’s Institute for Public Policy Research, the study followed over 6,000 individuals born in Britain during a single week in 1970, tracking their mental and physical health from childhood through midlife.
The results are concerning: children with serious behavioral or emotional disorders were 85% more likely to experience depression by age 51 and 68% more likely to suffer from chronic health issues that limit their work ability.
These outcomes reveal how deeply early mental health can shape adult life—affecting not only personal well-being but also long-term financial stability.
The risks aren’t limited to mental health alone. Children with long-term physical illnesses also faced a 38% higher chance of having reduced work capacity later in life. This underscores the importance of addressing all aspects of childhood health early on.
There are also indirect consequences for families. The study found that one in four mothers of chronically ill children left the workforce, often to provide full-time care. This exit from employment can weaken household income, create social isolation, and place long-term stress on the entire family.
In today’s environment, where one in five children in England faces a probable mental health condition and one in four is obese, the public health implications are significant. These issues are not isolated—they ripple through families, communities, and national systems.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for early support. Olly Parker from the UK charity YoungMinds notes that when children don’t receive mental health care, “the toll is felt on families, friends and the communities around them.”
Study co-author Jamie O’Halloran adds that preventing childhood mental health problems is not just about helping individuals but also about relieving long-term strain on public services.
The takeaway is clear: early health interventions—especially in mental health—are not optional. They are critical investments in children’s futures and in society’s long-term stability. Prevention is not just compassionate—it’s essential.
