Schools have a duty to care for the child and offer support

There has been a great deal of discussion in educational circles recently generated by TV series such as 13 Reasons Why. We worry if our children are emotionally safe. One of the paradoxes of our times is that we live in greater comfort, ease and security than ever before and yet our children are increasingly likely to suffer from depression. Mood swings have been a part of the teenage years. But there is growing research that the young suffer more than ever from depression, despondency and hopelessness. Teachers and leaders at schools are often the first people to notice that a young person’s behaviour and emotions are changing, and are called upon to help. We are not talking about the odd bad day, but serious clinical depression in some cases. They have a duty to care and identify the problem and call for support for the child: ignoring the problem never makes it go away. The classroom teacher will usually refer the student to the school counsellor, a crucial layer of support. Greenfield Community School has given parents information on how to communicate effectively with their teenagers. Parents are taught to develop and use listening skills, and be open and non- judgemental in conversations with their children. We recently designed a mindfulness programme aimed at destressing students: it’s included in the school day and a room is dedicated for this programme. Many schools have similar initiatives. Important things happen during school hours that aren’t part of the curriculum. It’s about less technology, more exercise, laughter, friendship and sunshine. A generation ago, children played in the park, rode bicycles everywhere and enjoyed a level of freedom we don’t see today. Smartphones have replaced bicycles and football in the street with friends, and our children are no happier. As parents, we need the courage to give them some of that old freedom back.