Skip to content
Education, learning and attainment

Working Towards Mentally Healthy Schools and Colleges: The Voice of Students (3,000+ Young People 11-19)

Anna Freud Centre · 2021

About this report

A survey of 3,298 young people aged 11–19 across the UK explored their views on mental health support in secondary schools and FE colleges. Young people overwhelmingly wanted mental health to be taught in school, with depression and anxiety, body image, and identity identified as the most important topics. Friendships, family and relationships were seen as positive influences on mental health, while schoolwork, exams and family were the top negative factors. Just over half said they would speak to an adult at school about mental health concerns, with trusted teachers and school counsellors being the preferred contacts.

Research details

Methodology
Survey
Sample size
3,298
Sample
Young people aged 11–19 in secondary schools and FE colleges across the UK, surveyed via school networks and social media.
Place
UK-wide
Youth involvement
No youth involvement

Themes