An alarming snapshot of the mental health of Australian high school students has found one in three girls and a quarter of boys are depressed, with many turning to violence, alcohol and unwanted sex to cope with problems.

The study, of almost 4500 year 7 to 12 students, also revealed 34 per cent of girls and 30 per cent of boys felt constantly under strain and unable to overcome difficulties.

More than half have low levels of resilience and, of those, 43 per cent feel violence is an appropriate way to solve relationship issues. A third are drinking at dangerous levels and one in four lack the confidence to say no to unwanted sexual experiences, while 16 per cent feel it necessary to carry a weapon. One in 10 had gambled in the past year.

The findings, from Resilient Youth Australia, have prompted calls for the federal government to make emotional resilience lessons part of the national curriculum.

Psychologists and educators say many young people lack the basic skills of impulse control, conflict resolution and relationship-building to help them cope with life's challenges.