Study looks at mental health in children starting High School in Wales

Children in Wales who started secondary school in 2021 were more likely to report elevated symptoms of depression than those who began before the pandemic, a study has found.

Academics at Cardiff University analysed responses from a student health and wellbeing survey, which found just under a quarter of children who started Year 7 in 2021 reported increased depression compared to 15% in 2019.

The analysis also showed an overall increase in the percentage of children reporting elevated symptoms of depression in 2021, of 28% compared to 24% in 2019.

No change was found among boys, suggesting this rise was driven by increased rates among girls – from 33% to 39% and a small number of gender non-binary students, which rose from 61% to 78%.

To read more: https://www.childreninwales.org.uk/news/study-finds-rising-depression-among-year-7-starters-wales/

 

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