Young women are now a “high-risk group” for mental illness, according to a new report.

The review, conducted by mental health charity MQ, found that psychological distress in women aged 16-24 is at an all-time high, with record numbers admitting to harming themselves to relieve their problems.

It further revealed that just 20 per cent of young women suffering from mental illness received treatment from their GP.

Lead researcher Sally McManus said: “When I first saw the figures I thought it was a statistical blip. The gender gap in mental illness has become most pronounced in young people. These results were staggering, but similar figures have appeared elsewhere.

“The figures on self-harm are particularly worrying. The risk is that without alternative, positive coping strategies, illnesses will become long-term and entrenched.”

According to NHS Digital, around one in four (25 per cent) women aged 16-24 reported symptoms of common mental health conditions last year, compared to 21 per cent in 2007. It adds that young women were three times as likely as men to report symptoms.

In addition, self-harm in women had trebled to almost 20 per cent between 2000 and 2014.

The report says that just a third of this group received treatment, compared with more than half of over-50s who self-harmed.

Dr Mirana Wolpert, of University College London, said treatment needs to be targeted on a per individual basis.

“This is not just about putting more professionals on the ground, but also increasing the emphasis on things to help, such as mindfulness. We also need to look at ways to tackle inequalities, as mental health difficulties are associated with inequalities and deprivation,” she said.