The Class of 2011 Yearbook study also reveals that 10 young people in any typical class will have witnessed their parents separate by the age of 16, while three will live in a step family, seven will have been bullied and one will have experienced the death of a parent.
Off the back of the report, Relate is calling on government to introduce a statutory duty to provide counselling services in primary and secondary schools across England. Such a duty is currently being considered by the Scottish government and already exists in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jenny North, head of public policy at Relate, said counselling in schools is vitally important to help children and young people work through their difficulties as early as possible and stop issues escalating into adulthood problems.
"The Class of 2011 Yearbook gives us an accurate overview of the extent of problems children and young people are facing," she said. "If we don’t offer support to this group to deal with these issues, we will no doubt see another generation of adults with deeply entrenched emotional problems."
She added that counselling in schools saves money in the long term, reduces strain on teachers and improves the lives of children and young people, and their families.
"When you consider that the statutory provision of counselling is available in schools across Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland considering it; it makes absolute sense to replicate that across England," she said.
"We must ensure that support is available so that children and young people have the opportunity to experience the fundamental human right of a happy childhood."
Relate supports around 18,000 children a year in 650 schools through confidential counselling, peer mentoring and group-based workshops.
