Evidence of UK’s child mental health crisis is stark and compelling

Analysis: addressing the sobering reality is a challenge for ministers, the NHS and society as a whole

• Record 420,000 children in England treated for mental health problems

Britain's children are becoming unhappier, more anxious, more depressed, and more likely to self-harm, suffer from an eating disorder or have suicidal thoughts. Addressing that sobering reality is a challenge not only for the government and the NHS but for society as a whole. Evidence for the ongoing deterioration in youth wellbeing is detailed, considerable and overwhelming.

The Children's Society has found that happiness levels among children and young people have declined to the extent that 7% of 10- to 15-year-olds in the UK are unhappy with their lives. They identify school, appearance and friends as the main drivers of their discontent. Experts also cite other reasons for the fact that growing numbers of school-age children are unhappy - bullying, problems at home, sexual assault and damage inflicted by social media to name but a few.