Mental and emotional health and wellbeing is the top reason children contact Childline, with the charity carrying out more than 105,000 counselling sessions where this was the main concern between April 2022 and March 2023.
Of these sessions, more than 31,000 were specifically related to stress and anxiety, while more than 14,000 related to low mood and unhappiness.
A further 6,400 sessions focused on depression, while more than 5,100 were with children suffering with feelings of loneliness.
The figures were published to mark World Mental Health Day on Tuesday (October 10) and have come alongside a call from the NSPCC for the government to step-up its delivery of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).
MHSTs support the mental health needs of children and young people in primary, secondary and further education (ages 5 to 18), providing early intervention on issues such as mild to moderate anxiety. Delivery is led by the NHS with support from the DfE.
The initiative was first announced in 2018 but the NSPCC says that the current target of access for 50% of pupils by April 2025 “lacks the sense of urgency needed”.
Data released by the Department for Education earlier this year shows that as of 2022/23, 28% of schools and colleges (about 6,800) are covered by a MHST and 35% of pupils. This is projected to rise to 35% of schools and colleges and 44% of learners by April 2024.
Each MHST covers an average of 8,500 learners in 17 schools or colleges and are also intended to support education settings in promoting good mental health and wellbeing. There are currently around 400 in operation, with another 100 due to come online in April next year.
The NSPCC said: “Children being able to acess this early intervention support can prevent young people's mental health problems from getting worse and reaching crisis point.”
It comes at a time when NHS data suggests that almost one in five children aged 7 to 16 have a probable mental health disorder, rising to more than one in four 17 to 19-year-olds (Newlove-Delgado et al, 2022). There are particular concerns about issues including self-harm, anxiety, and loneliness.
This week, the National Association of Head Teachers spoke out in support of the NSPCC’s call for MHSTs to be rolled out across all schools more quickly.
Sarah Hannafin, the NAHT’s head of policy, said: “These findings echo what school leaders are telling us about the growing crisis in children’s mental health. There are few higher priorities in education right now.
“We want to see the government to go further and faster, not only in extending children’s access to school mental health support teams much more quickly, but also by funding counselling or creative therapies in all schools and easy-access support hubs in every community which offer early help to children who are struggling.
“While the government’s ambition of extending coverage to 50% of education settings is welcome, it is only a small step forward and still means many pupils will be in schools without access to this help. We agree that far greater urgency, ambition and investment is needed from the government.”
Shaun Friel, director of Childline, added: “Young people may struggle with a range of mental health issues throughout their childhood and adolescence. This can be a time of turbulence, and so it’s important that children feel supported and uplifted.
“Ensuring that young people have a network of support, whether that’s in school, with their peers, at home or through organisations such as Childline, helps young people take the first step to tackling these struggles. Childline is here for any child that may be struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing.”
Childline is a safe space for anyone aged under-19 who is seeking help and support. They have the option to speak to a counsellor over the phone, by online chat, or by email. Last year, Childline delivered almost 200,000 counselling sessions to children and young people, with about 75% of these taking place online.
- All children can speak to a trained Childline counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111 or via one-to-one chat. Children can visit the Childline website for more information and advice on mental health and how to cope. Visit www.childline.org.uk