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New study reveals one in four 12 and 13-year-olds may have a mental health condition

New study reveals one in four 12 and 13-year-olds may have a mental health condition

A major study of Year 8 pupils in England has revealed high levels of probable mental health issues, alongside stark inequalities.

Tatsiana Volkava/Getty Images

Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: October 1, 2026 at 12:36 PM

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One in four Year 8 pupils in England are likely to have a mental health condition, according to findings from a major new national study tracking young people through secondary school.

The first results from the Growing Up in the 2020s study, led by mental health charity Anna Freud, put the prevalence of probable mental health issues among Year 8s at 25%. A further 14% showed possible mental health difficulties, while 61% were considered unlikely to have any.

The research is following nearly 8,000 young people attending state secondary schools in England over five years, giving researchers a detailed picture of their wellbeing, education and experiences as they grow up.

Girls and children on free school meals were more likely to experience difficulties

Behind the overall figure are some significant differences between groups of children.

Probable mental health issues were identified among 28% of girls, compared with 23% of boys.

The gap was wider when researchers looked at family circumstances. Among young people eligible for free school meals (FSM), 36% had a probable mental health issue, compared with 20% of pupils who were not eligible.

Researchers also found inequalities extending beyond mental health.

Children receiving special educational needs (SEN) provision and those eligible for free school meals were less likely to feel a strong sense of belonging at school, took part in fewer enrichment activities and experienced higher levels of bullying. They also reported poorer physical health and wellbeing.

For example, 54% of pupils receiving SEN provision said they felt they belonged at school, compared with 66% of those without SEN provision. Among children eligible for free school meals, the figure was 57%, compared with 66% among those who weren't eligible.

But the wider picture isn't all negative

While the mental health figures are concerning, the study also found plenty of positives in Year 8 children's lives.

Most young people reported positive relationships with their families and friends, and the majority appeared to be settling into secondary school well.

98% felt neutral or happy about their family relationships
95% felt neutral or happy about their friendships
94% felt neutral or happy about life overall
90% reported getting at least eight hours' sleep on a typical weekday
86% said they had settled into secondary school either quite well or very well

There were encouraging signs of resilience too, with 71% agreeing or strongly agreeing that they keep trying when they find something difficult.

Researchers say early support matters

The Growing Up in the 2020s study is led by children's mental health charity Anna Freud, commissioned by the Department for Education and run in partnership with UCL's Centre for Longitudinal Studies and Ipsos.

Professor Jess Deighton, Director of Research at Anna Freud, Professor in Child Mental Health and Wellbeing at UCL and the study's director, said the findings provide a particularly detailed picture of life for this generation.

"The findings from this study - which gives us the richest snapshot so far of what life is like for this generation - are incredibly nuanced," explains Deighton.

Mental health problems in this age group are very high, underscoring the importance of prevention and early support for reducing levels of distress.

Professor Jess Deighton, Study Director

She said the research also shows that inequalities are already well established by the beginning of secondary school, with differences associated with factors including SEN, sex, ethnicity, attainment and family income and education.

What does growing up in the 2020s feel like?

Young people themselves are also helping to shape the research.

Dilly, 17, from Essex, sits on the study's youth advisory group. A neurodivergent young person now studying performing arts at college, she reflected on how different growing up today can be from the experiences of previous generations.

The pandemic made me - and many others - feel like we’d missed pivotal years. We're also a generation growing up online and in real life at the same time. You can't always ask your parents for advice on things like social media because they probably don’t understand how it all works.

Dilly, 17, Growing Up in the 2020s youth advisory group

The study will continue following the young people as they progress through secondary school, allowing researchers to examine how their mental health, relationships, education and wider experiences change over time.

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Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.