Over a quarter of the Isle of Wight’s working-age population has diagnosed anxiety, a new report shows.
Mental illness is the most common long-term health diagnosis affecting the demographic and a ‘major contributor’ to extended sickness, County Hall’s public health director Kate Harvey has said in an annual 2025/26 report.
The paper shows that out of the Island’s working-age adults, 29.3% or around 22,400 people have diagnosed anxiety, 24.2% have been diagnosed with depression or roughly 19,300, and 16.3% (approximately 13,000) have both.
Councillor James Whelan, Reform UK chair of the adult social care, public health and housing needs committee, 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 (CQC) report and hear their action plan on improvements for mental health services on the Island.”
Mental health crisis services provided by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been rated ‘requires improvement’ by the CQC.
Local employment, often lower paid, seasonal or physically demanding, combined with financial pressure and housing insecurity, contributes to greater levels of stress, anxiety and depression, according to Ms Harvey’s report.
The document says diagnosis rates of anxiety, depression or both increase with age – a local pattern which differs from national trends and may reflect differences in help-seeking behaviour and diagnostic recording rather than true underlying need.
Women have a higher recorded prevalence of mental illness than men.
Across the Isle of Wight, rates vary in line with deprivation. Out of the 20% most deprived areas, 42% of working age people have anxiety, depression or both diagnosed on their GP record. This is compared to 31% in the least deprived areas.
Councillor Michael Lilley, the Isle of Wight Council’s mental health champion, said there has to be a ‘radical’ review and investment in the Isle of Wight’s mental well-being as an ‘urgent priority’.
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.”
Ms Harvey said her annual report highlights examples of how partners continue to work across the Island to reduce anxiety and improve mental wellbeing, including focusing on prevention, early support and building resilience.
She said:
“The Isle of Wight faces some unique challenges such as its significant reliance on tourism and seasonal employment.
“While seasonal work plays a vital role in supporting the Island’s economy, periods of uncertainty around income and future employment, as well as fluctuating workloads and irregular routines, can contribute to anxiety and poorer mental wellbeing for some workers.
“To help address these challenges, partners across the Island are supporting people to develop skills, improve confidence and access employment opportunities throughout the year.
“Initiatives including Connect to Work, Adult Community Learning, Jobcentre Plus programmes such as Working Towards Wellbeing, and support from the Youth Trust help people gain skills, find work, access training and improve their long-term prospects.
“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.”
