One in seven secondary school pupils is suffering from ‘significant’ mental health problems such as anxiety or low mood – and girls are worst affected
- Researchers studied questionnaire responses from 6,300 pupils in 21 schools
- They found that 15 per cent of pupils reported high mental health difficulties
- Girls and pupils in year 11 were struggling the most with mental health problems
Secondary school pupils are suffering from significant mental health problems and girls are particularly badly affected, a new study reveals.
Researchers from the University of York examined questionnaire data on mental health and well-being from more than 6,300 secondary school pupils.
They found that one in seven pupils were struggling with emotional problems such as anxiety and low mood, with girls and year 11 students struggling the most
The authors say more investment in mental health services in schools is needed to develop targeted and more accessible support for children in need of help.
They found that one in seven pupils were struggling with emotional problems such as anxiety and low mood, with girls and year 11 students struggling the most. Stock image
This is one of the largest studies of teenage mental health in 20 years, according to the authors, with responses from 21 different schools in the north of England.
They found that 15 per cent of 12-16 year-olds are experiencing high or very high levels of mental health difficulties.
This is a marked increase from 1999, when a study found that just 11 per cent of secondary school children were experiencing any kind of mental health issues.
Of the girls who took part in the current study, 21 per cent reported experiencing emotional difficulties, compared with only 6 per cent of boys.
The highest single year group was year 11, with 10 per cent of pupils describing themselves as feeling ‘very worried, sad or unhappy’.
The findings are likely to be representative of the picture of mental health for school children across the country, the researchers say.
Lead author, Professor Barry Wright, said the study confirms that secondary school children are struggling with mental health more than ever before.
‘Today’s young people face many pressures, from the ‘academic excellence’ expected of them at school, to poverty exacerbated by austerity and social pressures,’ said Wright.
‘Further research is needed, but factors like these may be contributing to the increase in mental health difficulties we observed.’
The study also found that a large percentage of school children – 46 per cent – feel that social media has a positive effect on their mood overall.
The authors say more investment in mental health services in schools is needed to develop targeted and more accessible support for children in need of help. Stock image
Of those answering the questions only 6 per cent felt it had a negative effect.
‘While many recent studies have linked high social media use to online harassment, poor sleep and self-esteem problems, it is important to recognise and explore how social media can be used in both positive and negative ways for young people.’
According to the study, a high proportion of pupils are now accessing mental health support through their school, with one quarter of the students who completed the questionnaire reporting that they had used at least one school based service.
This study supports government plans to focus resources on improving the support available in school settings, the authors of the study say.
The findings are published in the journal of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry.