9 out of 10 schoolkids 'worried', B&NES survey finds
The council asked more than 6,500 pupils from over 50 schools across the region
The results of Bath and North East Somerset Council's health and wellbeing survey for schools is in.
The biennial survey asks pupils in years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 a number of questions about their life satisfaction, among other questions, which the authority then compiles.
In their latest questionnaire, they say more than 6,500 pupils from more than 50 schools across the B&NES area took part in the 2022 survey, looking at mental and emotional health and wellbeing, including bullying; relationships and sexual health; substance use; healthy eating; physical activity; and future aspirations.
The findings
The study, funded by St John's Foundation, is undertaken for B&NES Council every two years by the Schools Health Education Unit in Exeter - with many of the schools participating today involved from the start, which was back in 2011.
The information then helps the council with looking at long-term trends with the region's young people, as well as individual schools about their own students to help with provisions.
The latest survey found:
- Around two thirds of students across Bath and North East Somerset are 'satisfied' with their lives at the moment
- Around nine out of ten children have something they worry about 'a lot' or 'quite a lot' - 89% of primary school children, 92% of secondary, 94% of year 12s
- 34% of primary and 30% of secondary pupils recorded levels of 'high self esteem'
Councillor Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Communities, said: “The great news is that so many of our children and young people are leading happy and healthy lives. The number of young people who smoke cigarettes is at an all-time low in B&NES – and almost all pupils said they had at least one adult that they can trust.
“Worryingly, though, the mental health and wellbeing of many of our children and young people seems to be suffering. These worries include their future, exams and assessments, their family, their mental health, their weight, what they look like and the environment.”
Becky Reynolds, Director of Public Health and Prevention at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Having a good understanding of how well our children are doing is really important, and this survey provides us with a lot of good understanding. It’s clear that some groups of children and young people seem to be having a harder time than their peers.
“For example, children who are on free school meals, live with just one parent, are young carers or have a special educational need are more likely to feel afraid to go to school because of bullying, have lower self-esteem and worry more about money.”
There's a range of support across B&NES for families concerned about mental health and wellbeing here.