Children and teens are increasingly struggling to cope as a result of England’s school exam system, a mental health charity has warned.

YoungMinds claimed exam stress is one of many factors contributing to record numbers of young people seeking mental health support.

Its survey of 1,000 15-18-year-olds taking GCSE or A-Levels this summer found said they 63% found it hard to cope in the lead up to, and during, GCSE and A Level exams.

Of these,  13% had suicidal thoughts  and 13% self-harmed. More than half (56%) had trouble sleeping .

Among those struggling, 61% experienced anxiety and 40% worsening mental health, while 30% skipped meals and one in four (26%) had panic attacks.

The research also found exams were more than twice as likely to have a significant negative impact on mental health than social media.

The charity isn’t the first to link exams and poor mental health. Last year, a survey by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) revealed more than three-quarters of teachers had reported seeing mental health issues related to exam anxiety in their Year 11 students over the previous year. Childline is also witnessing a rise in calls about exam stress.

And it’s not just teens who are affected. In a separate YoungMinds survey, children aged 10-11 sitting their year 6 SATs reported similar struggles – over half (56%) of children said sitting the tests was the first time they really worried about their abilities.

Just over a quarter (28%) said SATs made them feel bad about themselves and 35% said the exams made them feel ill.

What are other countries in the UK doing?

England is the only country in the UK where children take SATs, according to the Good School Guide. The Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), which focus on English and Maths, are taken in year 6. Some schools also have them in year 2 (although that’s at the school and local authority’s........

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