Wellbeing is struggling to make the grade

War Cry's Emily Bright considers the anxiety epidemic spreading among UK students.

A Sunday Times-commissioned poll has revealed that 69 per cent of girls have stayed home from school because of anxiety.

More in Common, which surveyed 1,100 16 and 17-year-olds and conducted an online focus group, had other findings too.

It reported that 24 per cent of respondents experienced anxiety, and it highlighted contributing factors such as social media, a lack of socialisation during the Covid pandemic, and fears for the future.

The most common concerns among young people were exams (48 per cent), finding a good job (47 per cent), future finances (42 per cent) and physical appearance (37 per cent). 

But what perhaps surprised me the most was that 40 per cent of female students and 29 per cent of male students felt that they had no purpose in life.

Twenty years ago, my brother and sister-in-law presented me with a Youth Bible – an edition specially designed for teenagers.

On the title page, they had written a chapter and verse, which I looked up – and which I have returned to time and again over the years, in good times and bad.

In one translation the verse says that God ‘will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs’ (Zephaniah 3:17 New Living Translation).

As someone who has battled with anxiety, I’ve taken encouragement from knowing that my true identity – regardless of my job, relationship status or finances – is first and foremost as a daughter of God.

And best of all, he loves and delights in me.

In God’s presence, I find rest and reassurance. I know that he will help me to navigate whatever life throws at me – and that, whether I’m having a good day with my anxiety or feeling at rock bottom, he will always be with me.

The Bible insists that anyone can discover a relationship with God and enjoy the love, peace and comfort that he brings. It’s a claim that is, without doubt, worth further study.