In England, the rates of childhood mental disorders have risen over the last 20 years. In 2017, the proportion of children aged five to fifteen with a mental illness increased. Emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are becoming more prevalent. On average, I will have three mental health disorders in a class with 30.

Mental health issues have also become more widely known, and new treatments and policies are being introduced to target the mental health of children. Our research shows that children with mental problems are less socially connected to their peers and have lower grades in school. They also have poorer mental health during adolescence.

We took a new approach in our study by examining the changes that have occurred over time regarding child mental health issues. From birth until adolescence, we followed three cohorts UK children born between 1958 and 2001. We compared the lives of children with mental health issues (at seven years old) born in 1958v adolescence.

We were curious about how mental health issues affected different aspects of the lives of these children. They included social problems at age 11 (social isolation, bullying, and achieving five or more exam passes) and mental health at age 16 (problems with emotions and conduct, hyperactivity, and with peers).

We found that children with mental health issues at seven years old were more likely than others to experience social problems by age eleven, regardless of the generation they were born into. The children were less likely to pass five exams and had more mental health issues at the age of 16.

Read more: Achieving then failing in primary school is a sign of future teenage depression.

Interestingly, the association between childhood mental health problems and these negative outcomes became stronger in the more recent generations. In other words, mental health problems had a greater impact on later social issues, exam marks, and mental health for children born in 1991-1992 and 2001-2002 than children born in 1958. This suggests that outcomes for children with mental health problems may have become worse in more recent generations.

Mental health issues in children can affect their school performance. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

What are the reasons for these changes?

Our results were not affected by any factors that we could have tested directly, but some of them could have. These changes are unlikely to be the result of recent generations being more afflicted with poor mental health or more socially depressed than their predecessors.

We don’t understand why the changes occurred, but society is different today compared to forty years ago. The younger generations are more likely to pass exams that will allow them to enter university. Our findings show that those with mental problems have a disproportionately higher risk of having lower grades. The increased focus on academic achievement in society may also be affecting the mental health of young people. Children from recent generations who have mental health issues may find themselves falling behind in school.

The use of new technology could have contributed to the worsening of outcomes over recent years. Researchers have not yet been able to determine if social media is responsible for mental health issues or the associated products. However, high levels of social networking use are linked with poor mental well-being, especially in young girls.

Read more: Social media is not to blame for depression in young people

Social inequality in children’s physical health and mental health is widening, too. So, it could also be that changes in mental health outcomes are due to the most disadvantaged children in society being disproportionately affected by changes in public spending.

Some recent social changes, such as an increase in sedentary behavior and obesity, a change in alcohol and drug use, and earlier puberty for children, may also be contributing factors. Despite the fact that no direct link has been established between these factors and the mental health of young people, further research is required before we can be certain of what caused mental health issues to worsen over time.

Our findings indicate that there is more to be done in order to improve the lives and well-being of children who have mental health issues. Better early screening is essential to ensure that children with mental problems receive the help they require. Our research showed that short-term monitoring of children with mental problems might not be sufficient. Rather, it is important to continue monitoring children and providing them with relevant services throughout their adolescence and possibly into adulthood.

Medical professionals and policymakers must also consider why the society of today is more difficult for children with mental illness and what they can do to reverse this trend.