Schoolchildren will be taught to develop 'grit' to overcome the pressure of life's 'ups and downs' as part of a mental health drive in schools, ministers have said.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson and Health Secretary Wes Streeting made the vow as they unveiled a new push to reduce absences caused by poor mental health.
NHS data for 2023 suggested almost a quarter (23.3 per cent) of children had a probable mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression, up from 19 per cent the year prior.
And the absences have a knock-on effect into adulthood, affecting earnings and job prospects.
Figures suggest frequent absentees earn £10,000 a year less than their peers by the time they are 28.
