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NHS research shows that around 16% have a probable mental health condition at late primary age, rising to almost 23% in secondary – notably higher than when the annual research began in 2017

More than 1 in 5 children and young people in England aged 8 to 16 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023.

Annual figures published by the NHS show that prevalence in 2023 has increased slightly when compared to 2022 (20.3% compared to 18%), but is notably higher than in 2017 when 12.1% of 7 to 16-year-olds were judged to have probable mental health conditions.

Breaking down secondary and primary age groups, the figures show that 22.6% of 11 to 16-year-olds are considered to have a probable mental health condition compared to 15.7% of 8, 9 and 10-year-olds.

At ages 17 to 19, 23.3% have a probable mental health condition. This is down from 25.7% in 2022 but still notably higher than in 2017 (10.1%).