The stark warning comes from the Headmasters’ and Headteachers’ Conference (HMC), which has for the first time published data on how national teenage mental health concerns are affecting independent schools.
The survey, published to coincide with HMC’s annual conference last week, showed that teenage mental health problems are growing for independent schools as well as state schools, with misuse of social media cited as the biggest cause.
A total of 65 independent school heads were asked for their views on which problems had increased in their schools over the last five years.
While incidents of intolerance and bullying were down, 94 per cent of schools reported that misuse of social media was an issue, compared to 45 per cent five years ago.
Sixty-five per cent of heads said the misuse of social media was “of serious concern”.
More than four-fifths (82 per cent) of schools reported that cyber-bullying was an issue, 88 per cent said self-harm was a concern, 87 per cent said depression was a concern, and 85 per cent said eating disorders were a concern.
Problems that appeared to be less prevalent included illegal drug use, alcohol misuse, smoking, homophobic bullying and sexual health. Pupils were also said to be generally better behaved and working harder.
Chris Jeffery, chair of HMC’s Wellbeing Working Group and head of The Grange School in Hartford, Cheshire, said heads had already improved support structures in their schools but were determined to ensure they understood pupils’ needs more fully.
Forty-five per cent of the heads questioned said they had increased their provision of in-house counsellors while 40 per cent had brought in more counselling provision from outside.
“Young people in all types of school are experiencing pressures like never before,” said Mr Jeffery.
“They worry about getting the right grades in public exams that appear ever more important, a place at their chosen university and a good career beyond that so they can pay off increasing levels of student debt – all while constantly trying to look their best on social media.”