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Objective. The objective is to examine the relation between young adults’ non-attendance at primary care appointments and mental health problems, using a retrospective cohort study, in a urban primary health care facility in a relatively deprived and ethnically diverse area of Oxford, England.

Methods. Two hundred and nine patients aged between 15 and 35 years who failed to attend a doctor’s appointment in primary care during 2008 each matched with two control patients of the same age and gender who had attended appointments during the same period. Main outcome measure is the presentation with a mental health problem within 12 months following the missed appointment.

Results. Non-attendance in primary care among 15–35 year olds was strongly associated with presentation of mental health problems. Those who did not attend an appointment were more likely to …