One in ten (10.4%) pupils in England’s state schools are now identified as having mental health needs, according to a new nationwide study led by researchers at King’s College London and the University of Exeter. The findings show a steep rise over the past five years, highlighting growing demand for school-based mental health support.

Schools have become the frontline in addressing mental health concerns, but many lack the resources and training to respond effectively.

The study also found that pupils from deprived backgrounds were nearly twice as likely to be recorded with mental health needs. Data was drawn from the National Pupil Database and included over six million pupils aged 5–16. The research is published in the journal *Child and Adolescent Mental Health*.

Girls were more likely than boys to be identified with anxiety and depression, while boys were more commonly reported with behavioural conditions. Schools in the North East and West Midlands reported the highest rates of pupil mental health concerns.