Experiencing racism in adolescence can have lasting effects on mental health. This study followed young people in England from their late teens into adulthood and found that those who experienced racism at age 17 were more likely to report higher levels of psychological distress by age 25. However, racism in adolescence was not clearly linked to later life satisfaction, self‑harm, or long‑term mental illness. The findings show that experiences of racism can shape mental wellbeing over time and highlight the importance of tackling racism early and continuing to study its long‑term health impacts across the life course.
Hatem Mona et al. | Experience of racism in young people and future mental health in England: longitudinal analysis from the Next Steps Study |BMJ Mental Health, 2025