Survey Finds Lockdown ‘Aftershocks’ Lead to Rise in Pupil Self Harm Concerns

Leading school governors’ group finds self-harm and other pupil mental health concerns linked to pandemic are the largest and fastest growing concern.

A young girl paints a picture of herself on the school window as children of key workers take part in school activities at Oldfield Brow Primary School in Altrincham, England, during the first COVID-19 lockdown on April 8, 2020. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have created lockdown “aftershocks” that have contributed to a rise in pupil self-harm concerns, a survey has found.

The National Governance Association (NGA) found governing boards, trustees and academy committee members in England noting a rise in self-harm reports, with one governor saying there was a “high rate” of children self-harming.