How young people experience school is closely linked to their mental health, Growing Up in New Zealand reports.

The Now We Are Fifteen Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing snapshot reports, released on Wednesday show 15-year-olds who feel satisfied at school and confident coping with daily demands report better mental wellbeing.

They also report lower anxiety and depression, and stronger peer relationships.

Those who experience discrimination at school are more likely to struggle academically and emotionally.

The reports draw on data from more than 4000 participants in the country’s largest longitudinal study of child health and wellbeing, led by the University of Auckland.

Research director Professor Sarah-Jane Paine said, “School isn’t just a place where young people learn, it’s an environment that plays an important role in shaping their wellbeing.”

“Teenagers spend a large part of their lives at school, so it’s not surprising that school experiences matter for mental health. What’s powerful about these findings is that feeling supported, able to cope, and treated fairly is closely linked to wellbeing. That tells us school environments are an important lever for adolescent mental health.”

Key findings include:

• Higher school satisfaction and academic buoyancy were linked to better mental wellbeing, lower anxiety and depression, and stronger peer relationships.
• Young people who experienced discrimination were less likely to feel satisfied with school, 34% compared with 44%. They also reported lower academic buoyancy, 3.9 compared with 4.5, and poorer mental wellbeing.
• Only 26% of disabled young people reported high school satisfaction, compared with 43% of those without a disability. Disabled young people also reported higher levels of discrimination, 34% compared with 17%, and less positive peer relationships.
• Strong friendships, cultural connection, and feeling supported at school were linked to better wellbeing and more positive school experiences.

Professor Paine said, “How young people feel at school influences their wellbeing, and their wellbeing in turn affects how they cope with learning. Supporting young people means looking beyond academic achievement alone and recognising that wellbeing, inclusion, connection, and learning are deeply intertwined.”

The reports outline opportunities for action across education, health, and community settings.

These focus on anti-discrimination responses, inclusive education, cultural connection, wellbeing and career guidance, and a whole-system approach to adolescent mental health.

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