More Than A Quarter Of Working-Age Islanders Diagnosed With Anxiety, Report Reveals

More than a quarter of the Isle of Wight's working-age population has been diagnosed with anxiety, according to a new report highlighting the scale of mental health challenges facing the Island.

The Isle of Wight Council's Director of Public Health, Kate Harvey, says mental illness is now the most common long-term health condition affecting working-age adults and is a major factor behind long-term sickness.

Her 2025/26 annual public health report reveals that 29.3% of working-age Islanders – around 22,400 people – have been diagnosed with anxiety. Around 19,300 people (24.2%) have been diagnosed with depression, while approximately 13,000 (16.3%) have been diagnosed with both conditions.

Following publication of the report, Councillor James Whelan, Chair of the Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs Committee, called for the Island's mental health team to appear before councillors.

He said:

"In light of the public health report and the evidence provided, it is extremely important that we bring the mental health team before the committee to discuss the findings of their Care Quality Commission report and hear their action plan on improvements for mental health services on the Island."

Mental health crisis services provided by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as 'Requires Improvement' by the Care Quality Commission.

The report says a combination of lower-paid, seasonal and physically demanding jobs, alongside financial pressures and housing insecurity, is contributing to higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression on the Isle of Wight.

It also found that diagnoses of anxiety and depression increase with age locally – a pattern that differs from national trends – while women are more likely than men to have a recorded mental health diagnosis.

Rates are also significantly higher in the Island's most deprived communities.

In the 20% most deprived areas, 42% of working-age residents have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression or both, compared with 31% in the least deprived areas.

The Isle of Wight Council's Mental Health Champion, Councillor Michael Lilley, said the findings highlighted the need for urgent action.

He said:

"The report confirms and evidences that poor mental health is a deep-rooted reality and issue on the Island and for me is a health priority.

"The key message I get from residents is the lack of early help to prevent falling into acute services and, when coming out of overstretched acute NHS services, lack of recovery support in the community.

"If you simply feel bad about yourself, anxious and depressed you are not going to function well in your life and without support your life can unravel.

"Everyone needs access to support early."

Kate Harvey said improving mental wellbeing requires a focus on prevention, early intervention and helping people build resilience.

She said the Isle of Wight faces unique challenges due to its reliance on tourism and seasonal employment, with uncertainty around work and income contributing to poorer mental health for some residents.

She highlighted initiatives including Connect to Work, Adult Community Learning, Jobcentre Plus programmes and support from the Youth Trust, which aim to help people gain skills, access employment and improve their long-term prospects.

Ms Harvey added:

"Our approach in public health recognises that good mental health is about helping people to thrive, feel connected to their communities, maintain positive relationships, find purpose in their lives and access support when they need it."