Commenting on a new survey published today (Wednesday 3 February)
by children’s mental health charity Place2Be on parents’ concerns
for their children’s mental health, Paul Whiteman, general
secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:
“This survey shows that parents are concerned that the Covid-19
pandemic has negatively impacted their children’s mental health.
Teachers and school leaders have also been concerned about this
and have seen the effects of lockdown on their students. 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.
“The pandemic places even greater urgency on the calls NAHT has
been making for additional resources to support the mental health
and wellbeing of pupils, including increased capacity of social
care, health and other services to meet the growing demand and to
reduce waiting times.
“Schools play a vital role in promoting good mental health and
emotional wellbeing amongst pupils of all ages. All school staff
should receive high quality training to do this and to ensure
that they are well placed to identify emerging mental health
needs of pupils and can support and manage pupils with mental
health needs in the school environment.
“But teachers and leaders are not mental health specialists. Some
pupils need additional, more targeted support from specialist
services. Unfortunately, these services were stretched even
before the pandemic, having been as starved of funding as
education over the last decade.
“Schools cannot be the only place parents are able to turn for
help with their children’s mental health. All the resources and
services that should be there to help need to be operating
efficiently and effectively together. We would urge the
government to invest in children’s mental health now, or risk
failing young people just as they most need help.”
