Karen Evennett explores the charity keeping children’s minds healthy and happy...
It’s heartbreaking to think of children suffering with so much anxiety that they avoid school, engage in self-harm or even think about ending their own life.
But this is the reality for many youngsters today – and, shockingly, not just teens. Just ask children’s mental health charity Place2Be, whose local partner schools include The Kingston Academy, Hampton Court House and The Alton School in Roehampton.
“Since the pandemic, there has been an escalation in both the number of children needing help with their mental health and the types of problems they’re presenting with,” says the charity’s London and South West Regional Director, Jacqueline Vaughan. “We get a lot more primary-aged children, too.”
Before Covid, the charity typically saw children with problems like low mood, anxiety and depression.
But in recent years, cases of self-harm and suicide ideation have soared ahead of general mental issues.
Moreover, with the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis and ever-tighter household budgets, the charity has seen a rise in parental mental health problems too – which, of course, will often impact the whole family.
“Many of our partner schools have now become food bank hubs for their local communities,” says Jacqueline.
And for the children, there is another pervasive issue: social media.
“Children used to be able to escape from school stresses at home. With smartphones and the culture of posting every detail of our lives online, there is no escape. Children are under pressure to be online all the time, and their stress is amplified by the fear of missing out (FOMO) if they’re not.
“Some schools have introduced a zero phones policy. But the genie is out of the bottle. The technology won’t go away, so we need to help children use it in ways that won’t impact their mental health. School PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) classes really help, but it is still a pressing problem.”
Place2Be
Mental health matters
The government currently aims to put Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) into every school, so as to offer children early intervention.
“It’s a positive initiative, identifying the early stages of mental health problems before they escalate,” says Jacqueline.
The service helps a lot of children, but those with more complex problems may need to be referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Sadly, however, rising demand means long waiting lists, and the threshold for referral is high.
“In fact, a child may not be referred until after they’ve reached a crisis point – some have waited 18-24 months for help.”
That’s where Place2Be comes in. The charity’s clinically trained counsellors are there for children from early intervention through to CAMHS support.
“Each partner school has a designated room where children can come to feel safe and supported, and to discuss things that are worrying them,” explains Jacqueline. “In the last school year, over 40,000 children booked an appointment with their school’s Place2Be counsellors. Teachers can also refer children for one-to-one or group counselling – and, vitally, this referral will involve the parents too.”
“I don’t want to go to school today…”
One symptom of poor mental health, up hugely since Covid, is Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
“Some children are still feeling anxious about mixing with others and have become socially isolated. Attitudes to school have also changed since the pandemic, with some parents – as well as children – no longer valuing education as much as they used to.
“The children most affected are those with Special Educational Needs. Limited resources mean that schools often lack sufficient specialist staff, so that more parents are deciding on home education. We know, however, that there are many, many children who need more support.”
Place2Be has a whole school approach, advising families and teachers as well as supporting children in school. A dedicated parenting site offers advice on everything from smartphones to meltdowns
