Teenagers who play sport are less likely to experience mental health problems, such as severe anxiety and depression, experts have said.

The findings of Ireland's largest survey into the mental health of those aged between 12 and 18, which was carried out last year, were highlighted at the launch of the 2020 Irish Life Health Schools' Fitness Challenge.

The ‘My World Survey 2' found that rates of severe anxiety had increased from 11% in 2012 to 22% in 2019. However, it also found that young people who played sport were less likely to experience severe anxiety (19%) compared to those who did not play sport (32%). A similar pattern was seen for severe depression.

The Schools' Fitness Challenge, which has been running since 2013, aims to help secondary school students to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. Over 172,000 students in hundreds of schools have participated since 2013.

The challenge is overseen by Prof Niall Moyna of the Centre for Preventive Medicine at Dublin City University (DCU).

"Over the last eight years, the challenge has proven that substantial improvements in cardiovascular fitness can occur after as little as six weeks of regular exercise," he explained at the launch.

He noted that a recent study carried out over a five-week period, during which participants took part in low-to-moderate exercise, recorded a significant reduction in depression and anxiety.

"Aside from the obvious physical health benefits of physical activity, it is proven to also have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. It is vital that we place a greater emphasis on exercise in secondary schools, especially as children progress through school when exam and other social pressures increase," Prof Moyna said.

Also speaking at the launch, the My World Survey's principal investigator, Prof Barbara Dooley of University College Dublin (UCD), said that we are "in the midst of a mental health crisis, which is having a massive impact on our young people".

"While undertaking this research, we found that the mental health of secondary school students can rapidly deteriorate in the years from first to sixth year and depression and anxiety are two of the major problems affecting students in Ireland today.

"Among other things, the statistics point to a link between being physically active, through sport for example, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. This positive link between the benefits of physical activity on mental health is what we are highlighting in this year's challenge," Prof Dooley noted.

For more information on the Irish Life Health Schools' Fitness Challenge, click here.

*Pictured at the launch of the Irish Life Health Schools' Fitness Challenge in Dublin were Irish Life Health campaign partners Thomas Barr and Mary-Kate Slattery, along with students from Sandymount Park Educate Together School.