1-7 February marks the seventh annual Children’s
Mental Health Week, run by children’s mental health charity
Place2Be, who provide counselling and mental health support and
training in UK schools.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT,
which represents members in the majority of UK schools, said: “A
focus on mental health and wellbeing for children and young
people is more important this year than ever. School leaders are
deeply concerned about the impact the Covid-19 pandemic and
resulting lockdowns have had on their pupils. There is a
significant challenge for schools moving forward to support
children’s recovery and wellbeing and to repair any damage done
to their mental health.”
Around five children in every classroom have a mental health
need, and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to
bereavement – potentially more this year than ever before.
Mr Whiteman continued: “Schools will of course being putting a
huge amount of effort into ensuring that the wellbeing of all
pupils is supported, but there will be children and young people
for whom the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has created more
serious levels of concern. These pupils may need additional, more
targeted support and they will likely need more specialist help
from health or social care services.
“Unfortunately, these services were stretched even before the
pandemic, having been as starved of funding as education over the
last decade. Now is the time for government to invest in
supporting children’s mental health. Schools cannot do it alone.
Without all the resources and services that should be there to
help operating efficiently and effectively together, the
government risks failing children just as they most need help.”
