India, Feb. 27 -- Pressure to achieve at school at age 15 is linked to depressive symptoms and risk of self-harm, and the association appears to persist into adulthood, finds a study led by UCL researchers.

The authors of the new study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, say their findings suggest that reducing academic pressure in schools could reduce depression and self-harm among young people.

Senior author Professor Gemma Lewis (UCL Psychiatry) said: "In recent years, rates of depression have been rising among young people in the UK and in other countries, and academic pressure also appears to be on the rise. Young people report that academic pressure is one of their biggest sources of stress. A certain amount of pre...