Latest news
Explore the latest updates from the COSMO study, including blog posts, press releases and events on the impacts of the pandemic on young people’s life chances.
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What are the policy implications of the COSMO findings for young people's mental health?
Guest author Lucy Thorpe discusses some of the policy levers available to the government to improve the wellbeing of young people.
Lucy Thorpe
15-12-22
Lived experience
Zakir's story - An unprecedented struggle
Sutton Trust COSMO Youth Panel member, Zakir, speaks of the difficulties he faced during the pandemic.
COSMO
09-12-22
Press release
Almost half of young people experiencing mental health problems
Poor mental health among young people (aged 16 and 17) has increased by more than a quarter since 2017.
COSMO
23-11-22
Our research
We've published the first set of briefings from Wave 1 of the COSMO study.
Briefing
23-11-22
Briefing No. 4 - Mental Health and Wellbeing
Almost half of young people (aged 16/17) are experiencing mental health problems, with differences by gender as well as pandemic experiences.

Briefing
13-10-22
Briefing No. 3 - Future Plans and Aspirations
Females, disadvantaged young people and state comprehensive pupils were more likely to change their education and career plans due to Covid-19.

Briefing
13-10-22
Briefing No. 2 - Education recovery and catch up
Many students missed a large amount of school time during the pandemic, even after schools had re-opened nationally.

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About the study
The COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) study is a major national longitudinal study examining the unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life chances of a generation of young people.
The study is the largest of its kind, capturing the experiences of young people through the pandemic and beyond. COSMO will examine how the pandemic has affected young people’s education and wellbeing, as well as longer term impacts, following their journeys through education and into the workplace.