Teen well-being improving after years of post-pandemic concern, major study finds

Teen well-being improving after years of post-pandemic concern, major study finds Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor A major new study of more than 115,000 young people suggests teenage well-being may finally be recovering after years of concern over the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers from the #BeeWell program based at The University of Manchester found steady improvements in psychological well-being, life satisfaction and loneliness among secondary school pupils across Greater Manchester and Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton between 2021 and 2025. The findings in the report point to what the researchers describe as a "modest but sustained improvement" in young people's emotional well-being and social connection. Key findings - The proportion of young people reporting good psychological well-being rose from 51% in 2021 to 57% in 2025 - Average life satisfaction increased from 6.32 to 6.73 out of 10 - The proportion reporting elevated emotional difficulties fell from 17% to 14% - Reports of feeling lonely always or often fell from 12% to 9% - The amount of pupils reporting a strong sense of school belonging rose from 46% to 53% What else did the study find? Researchers analyzed well-being trends among Year 10 pupils using five years of #BeeWell survey data collected from more than 300 schools. The study found evidence of gradual improvement in participating areas across several core indicators of well-being following years of widespread concern about young people's mental health after the pandemic. These improvements may reflect a range of factors, including changes in local population composition. Psychological well-being and life satisfaction both increased steadily over the period studied, while emotional difficulties and loneliness declined. Researchers say the findings suggest many young people are beginning to feel more connected, supported and optimistic than they did in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 disruption. Why it matters The findings are significant because they provide some indication of improvement in mental health indicators among young people in participating areas after years of concern about declining well-being. Researchers say the results also reinforce the importance of school belonging, trusted adult relationships and positive peer environments in supporting well-being. The report found that young people who felt more connected to school and supported by staff generally experienced better well-being outcomes and stronger attendance. Teachers increasingly providing mental health assistance The research also found growing numbers of young people are turning to teachers for mental health support. The proportion reporting they had contacted a teacher about mental health at least sometimes rose from 17% in 2022 to 23% in 2025. The researchers say this highlights the increasingly important role schools are playing in supporting young people's well-being. Inequalities remain Despite the overall positive trends, the report warns that improvements have not been experienced equally across all groups. Young people with special educational needs showed little sustained improvement in well-being across the five-year period. LGBTQ+ young people also continued to report substantially lower well-being, lower life satisfaction and higher rates of bullying than their peers. Researchers say these persistent inequalities underline the need for continued focus on inclusive school environments and targeted support. "Over recent years there has been enormous concern about the mental health and well-being of young people, particularly following the pandemic. What we are now seeing is evidence that some of these trends may be beginning to move in a more positive direction," said Dr. Emma Thornton, principal researcher. "More young people are reporting good well-being, loneliness is falling and emotional difficulties are reducing—which are encouraging findings—but the picture is not the same for everyone. Significant inequalities remain, particularly for LGBTQ+ young people and those with special educational needs, and that remains a major challenge." More information Report: #BeeWell Headline Findings Report, June 2026: School Inclusion Provided by University of Manchester