Gender stereotypes mean that girls can be celebrated for their emotional openness and maturity in school, while boys are seen as likely to mask their emotional distress through silence or disruptive behaviors.
Children and teachers who took part in the study said they feared the mental health needs of boys might be missed at school, which makes them an ‘at risk’ group.
Researchers have warned of the negative impacts on girls where the manifestation of emotional distress such as crying or self-harm could become “feminised and diminished”, so taken less seriously.
They have called for increased awareness of the role of gender in mental health services offered in schools and resultant inequalities.