You need friends: new report focuses on teenagers’ mental health

‘Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health’ – Alison Johnstone MSP

Relationships with friends, playing sport at least once a week and reading books all have a positive effect on mental wellbeing in teenagers, according to a new report. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing among Adolescents in Scotland looks at trends and key associations for the mental health of boys and girls aged 13 and 15.

The report found that friendships and a positive experience of school are the two things most closely aligned with mental wellbeing. Other factors with a close positive association include expecting to go to university and belonging to a club.

Higher levels of deprivation and poorer physical health both correlate with lower levels of mental wellbeing.

Overall, levels of mental wellbeing have remained largely stable since 2006. Conduct problems, hyperactivity and inattention and social behaviour have improved since 2006. Emotional and peer relationship problems have worsened, which is largely attributable to an increase in the numbers of 15-year-old girls reporting emotional problems.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “I welcome this report, which contains useful data that will improve our understanding of why some teenagers experience poor mental health. It’s encouraging to see positive movements in several measures of mental wellbeing, including hyperactivity, conduct problems and social behaviour.

“Child and Adolescent Mental health is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We have recently announced an additional £100 million of funding for mental health services over the next five years. Some of this will be directed towards further improving child and adolescent mental health services. This is on top of a £19.8 million investment since 2009/10 that has led to a 70 per cent increase in the number of specialist psychologists working in this area.

“Every school in Scotland has access to a specialist in mental health, who can be contacted for advice and on-going support if teachers have concerns about any pupils.

“We know that the patterns and prevalence of different mental health problems through childhood and adolescence vary according to age, gender and deprivation. It is essential that services match their interventions to this dynamic background.

“The apparent increase in the number of 15-year-old girls who are experiencing emotional problems is something that we will look at carefully. We have seen a significant increase in the number of young people asking for help with their mental health in recent years, which may be attributable to greater awareness and lower stigma.”

Alison Johnstone MSP, health and wellbeing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, urged ministers to act on the report, which shows a sharp decline in teenage girls’ emotional wellbeing.

The report highlights a Scottish Schools Survey showing that while fewer young people have conduct problems in 2013 compared to 2006, emotional problems have worsened, with 15 year old girls particularly affected. In 2010, 28 per cent of 15 year olds girls had a borderline or abnormal emotional problems score. This increased to 41 per cent in 2013.

Other surveys in the report also show girls have worse mental health and wellbeing than boys. Just 4 per cent of 15 year old girls always feeling confident, compared to 15 per cent of 15 years old boys.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “These are significant findings and must be investigated further. The sharp drop in emotional wellbeing of 15 year old girls in recent years is a cause for concern and we should draw on the experiences of pupils, parents and teachers to understand what is causing this and how to turn the situation around.

“In general we know that good mental health and wellbeing among young people is at risk if they have fewer friends, dislike school and feel pressured. Encouraging support networks in and out of school and helping pupils play an active part in how their school is run would seem sensible steps to pursue. The finding that girls who play sport on a weekly basis have lower levels of emotional and behavioural problems underlines the need to invest in active lifestyles in and out of school.

“Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health. Ensuring good mental health in young people helps them grow into resilient adults able to handle life’s ups and downs.”