THE mental health crisis in young people is costing more than £1 trillion in lost earnings, a new expert report warns today.

Four mental health organisations urged ministers to ignore the “wishful thinking” that it is exaggerated or a result of over-medicalisation.

The Centre for Mental Health, Centre for Young Lives, the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, and YoungMinds report shows how poor mental health leads to less tax revenue and increased benefits spending.