Pupils with mental health issues increase almost 600% in decade, figures show

The number of pupils with mental health problems in Scotland has surged by nearly 600% in the last decade, analysis has revealed, as those with additional support needs (ASN) skyrocket.

Between 2014 and 2024, the number of pupils identified with mental health problems which require additional support rose by 580%, according to a data analysis by the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC).

The figures, based on the Scottish Government Pupil Census, reveal a massive increase in conditions facing young Scots.

The number of pupils with communication support needs rose by 303% in the decade up to 2024, while those identified as dyslexic increased 122%.

At the same time, the number of pupils with autism spectrum disorder surged 240%.

Those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties increased 150%, while those with physical health problems rose by 149%, and interrupted learning by 485%.

The total number of children in Scotland with ASN has more than doubled since 2014, from more than 140,000 to more than 284,000.

It means 40.5% of all pupils are now identified as ASN.

The SCSC said that despite the rise, the number of specialist teachers supporting those with ASN has decreased from 3,077 to 2,837, a decline of 240, representing a new low.

It said the increase in ASN is in part due to more recognition and diagnosis of these conditions, as well as the impacts of Covid-19, social media and the cost-of-living crisis.

The alliance of providers has repeated its call for greater resourcing by local authorities and the Scottish Government to support those with ASN, who disproportionately come from lower-income families and areas of deprivation.

An increase in the number of those with ASN is also seen as a key cause of increased classroom violence and disruption, it said.

The coalition has raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of educating all pupils in mainstream schools without the necessary classroom support.

A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “Given these escalating numbers of those with ASN, it is vital that those requiring it get the care and support that they need.

“This is clearly difficult in an environment of austerity and budget cuts, highlighted by cuts in, for example, the number of ASN teachers.

“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, that all children and young people be educated in a mainstream educational environment unless specific exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly for all those with ASN given a fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those identified with conditions such as mental health problems and autism.

“Associated with this, we are witnessing increasing levels of classroom disruption, a key cause of this being the increase in the number of those with ASN, who are not receiving the support they are entitled to.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.