New research shows secondary schools are feeling pressured to meet the complex needs of students.

A survey by the Council for Education Research shows 62 per cent of principals are struggling to get help for students with mental health issues.

Secondary Principals Association president Mike Williams told Mike Hosking the needs of students are increasing and schools are struggling to keep up.

"It [mental health] is increasingly high on the agenda. There wouldn't be a day that goes by that a principal doesn't have to deal with an issue around a student with high complex needs and mental health."

The pressure from social media is contributing to an increase in students with anxiety, he said.

"We have seen lots of evidence of increasing anxiety and pressure among young people. Some of it is driven by technology.

Sociatal issues like drug use are also causing problems. "We have had reports in regions of New Zealand where there is an increase in P babies coming through," Willaims said.

He said these children often have highly complicated needs.

The survey shows that schools are finding it very hard to get the support they need.

Williams said schools are relying on their own resrouces when they need intervention from District Health Boards.

Schools are being forced to step in because students are struggling to learn, he said.

"If the student in front of you can't learn because of those other needs, you can't do your job. So you can sit back and say someone should fix this, or you roll your sleeves up and try and fix it."

He said he is "holding out hope" that the upcoming Wellbeing Budget will give them extra support, but he says they need something urgently.