Street gangs and associated serious violence have been a growing concern in the UK over the past decade. They are concentrated in poor, urban areas with high crime rates and multiple social problems. The mental health needs of young people involved in gangs have until recently been overlooked.

This report is an attempt to address this situation, and to provide recommendations for local commissioners. The problem Young people involved in gangs have much higher rates of a broad range of mental health problems.

These higher rates (compared to both the general and young offender populations) include:

 Conduct disorder (in children and adolescents) and antisocial personality disorder in young adults, possibly due to common risk factors for gang membership and conduct disorder

 Anxiety disorders, possibly due to fear of violent

 Psychosis, possibly due to high cannabis use

 Suicide attempts, possibly due to impulsive violent acts directed inwardly