This NFER report presents key findings from a review of the evidence about the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the country’s response to it on the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people in the UK.
In the context of declining wellbeing and mental health among children and young people before the pandemic, it finds some evidence that this decline has continued and that some groups have been more affected than others.
The crisis of the pandemic has drawn attention to existing concerns about children’s and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, which has been declining for a number of years. Some groups of children and young people have been particularly affected during the pandemic.
The support available to schools and families from external agencies is often limited and inadequate and needs to be reviewed in the light of these trends.
There is evidence that school connectedness – how young people feel they are accepted, supported, respected and included in the school community – is a protective factor and can prevent or reduce later mental health problems.