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English Children: World’s Second Unhappiest

21 August 2015

By Lauren E. White

A study from the Children’s Society has found that it is only children in South Korea who are unhappier with their lives than those living in England.

Research conducted by the University of York discovered that more than 500,000 ten- and twelve-year-olds were bullied each month and half said they felt excluded by their fellow students.

As well as this, girls in England came in at the bottom for most unhappy with their body image, indicating that there is clearly a bigger issue at heart and not just ‘children being children’. It was also found in the study that girls were twice as likely than boys to report their lack of body confidence.

The study comes at a time where three children in every class of thirty have a mental illness, with between one in every 12-15 children and young people deliberately self-harming.

Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, said: “It is worrying that children in England score so poorly against those in many other countries in relation to many well-being indicators in this report. The reasons may be complex but we need to get to grips with them as a nation.”

 

If you think you are suffering from a mental health disorder or are struggling at the moment, it is advised that you make an appointment with your GP. As well as this, you can contact the helplines below for advice:

ChildLine: 0800 1111

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Mind: 0300 123 3393

 

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