Call to help our kids in a crisis
More psychologists desperately needed in schools, says expert
THE tragic case of a Huon Valley teenager who died by suicide highlighted the need for more psychologists to be employed across the state’s schools, a Tasmanian expert says.
Lesley Fraser, who has spent most of her 40-year career as a psychologist in school settings, said she was receiving many referrals for families with children who said they could not get in to school psychologists.
Mrs Fraser, the past president of the Tasmanian School Psychology Association, said this created backlogs in private practices.
“When you are talking about really crucial things like suicide and other mental health disorders, it needs a qualified psychologist to deal with that,’’ she said.
“A lot of the other mental health support people have really valuable roles and do them well, but when you come to dealing with child and adolescent mental health, it’s preferable to have a psychologist trained in working with young people.”
A Huon Valley family this week shared their heartbreak about the loss of their son, who took his own life last year at age 14.
Josh Coad had been the victim of bullying at Huonville High School, including suffering two physical assaults in the months leading up to his death.
Josh’s parents, Brad and Kristy Coad, said they did not blame anyone in particular for their son’s death, but said the toll of bullying weighed heavily on him.
Mrs Fraser said the increased connectedness created by the digital age meant cyber bullying could be a 24/7 issue.
“Schools do work on it … and they are teaching students how to use their social media in a responsible way,’’ she said.
State Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Jeremy Rockliff outlined the number of staff designated to mental health and wellbeing support at the school.
“Qualified professional support staff at Huonville High includes a full time social worker, school psychologist (0.75 FTE) and a school nurse who work together to provide mental health and wellbeing support to students,’’ he said.
Mr Rockliff said the government was investing $4m to start the first phase of the government’s Response to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Review.