Mental health crisis surging in UK schools

Every day, 183 schoolchildren in England are referred to the NHS for mental health issues in what is seen as a growing crisis afflicting young people nationwide.

In total, 34,757 referrals were made to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in 2017-18 — a rise of 38% over four years.

Younger students are particularly affected, with 55% of all referrals coming from primary schools. In some cases, children as young three were sent for psychological help.

The figures were attained by children’s charity NSPCC. Chief executive Peter Wanless states that “schools are increasingly referring children for specialist mental health treatment, often when the child is at crisis point”.

And in some cases, sufferers do not get the support they need.

“I suffer with anxiety and panic attacks and find it difficult to leave the house,” one teenager told Childline. “I was referred to CAMHS but I was on a waiting list for eight months and during that time my anxiety got worse, so I never went because I was too scared.”

Indeed, the figures show that in almost a third of referrals, children were denied specialist treatment.

Earlier this year, Barnardo’s chief Javed Khan warned that resources were stretched so thin in some areas that children would only be treated following severe self-harm or suicide attempts.

In December, MPs announced plans to reform mental health provision for children, including shorter waiting lists for specialist care and better support within schools.

One survey estimates that at least 10% of young people (aged 5-16) suffer from some form of mental illness, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm.

Such a broad problem requires a thorough diagnosis. NSPCC policy officer Alana Ryan said the vulnerable children the charity meets often cite “exam pressures, social media and not being able to get into specialist services”.

What is to blame for this mental health crisis?

Breaking point

Blame inadequate institutions, some argue. Health care provision for those suffering is woeful, with vulnerable children waiting months for treatment or being turned away altogether. This spreads beyond the NHS too — cuts to school nurses deprive young people of care professionals working on the front line. Mental health services need more cash, fast.

There are societal factors too, others respond. Cyberbullying is endemic, with almost half of young people suffering abuse online. And social media is terrible for supercharging stress, anxiety and depression. Add to this a culture of high-pressure exams in schools and it’s no wonder children are becoming ill. Reforming how we learn and socialise will bring the most change.