Just under two thirds said they had helped a pupil with their emotional wellbeing up to once a week during the last academic year.
One in four say they are supporting pupils daily and one in 10 help children more than once a day, according to the survey by charity YoungMinds.
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The charity also found that nearly three quarters of teachers believe poor mental health is having a negative impact on pupils’ learning.
Seven in ten teachers say poor mental health among pupils is worse now than when they started teaching.
The charity warns that “the pressure” of tackling worsening mental health among pupils is “falling on teachers”.
Half of teachers told charities that among pupils needing mental health support only a quarter or fewer are getting the help they need.
The same proportion say pupils are relying on talking to friends to support their mental health. One in three say pupils at their school are actively calling for better mental health support.
“Teachers are at capacity and there is no time to support these children effectively,” said one teacher who took part in the survey.
“We are not councillors or therapists, and I worry the tools we are told to use with these children are inconsistent and may do more harm than good.
“We are experts at teaching not mental health, if we were, we would have better mental health ourselves and maybe more teachers would stay in the profession.”
Support from teachers comes amid struggles with their own mental health. A third say they have tackled personal mental wellbeing issues over the last year and three in 10 say the pressure of their job is impacting their mental health.
“This new research provides further evidence of a spiraling youth mental health crisis and exposes the harmful impact this is having on pupils and teachers, affecting pupils’ ability to learn, and diverting teachers’ time away from focusing on teaching,” said Young Minds chief executive Laura Bunt.
“Growing up today is tough, with many experiencing multiple pressures including inequality, discrimination, poverty, and a future that looks uncertain. Add on intense academic pressure and around the clock social media, it’s no wonder so many are struggling.”
The charity has released the survey’s findings to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October) and through its Hello Yellow mental health awareness raising campaign that sees pupils wear yellow to support young people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.
