News

Mixed-race children at greater risk of mental health issues

Mixed-race children experience greater risks to their mental health with secondary school being a particularly vulnerable time, a new report has revealed.

Mixed Experiences – Growing Up Mixed Race: Mental health and wellbeing draws on first-hand accounts of people of mixed race background growing up in the UK.

It finds that these children are at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems as a result of poor self-esteem and the experience of discrimination from both Black and White peers.

It says that mixed race children can struggle to develop an identity for themselves with which they are comfortable and that schools often “do not understand their backgrounds”.

The report states: “Unrealistic expectations from both teachers and other adults, that children of mixed race would be fully conversant with both sides of their cultural heritage, were reported by many of the participants.”

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here