Kids of four are battling depression
Teachers see widespread woe
RISING numbers of children — some as young as four — are suffering anxiety, panic attacks and depression, according to teachers.
They claim mental health problems are so widespread that 96% of teachers in a poll had come into contact with pupils in need of assistance.
And they say government cuts mean they struggle to get professional help.
One teacher told how an eight-yearold pupil climbed on a roof and threatened suicide. The NASUWT union poll found 68% of the pupils affected are between 11 and 16, 27% between seven and 11 and 14% between four and seven.
The top factors were: family troubles (86%), exams and testing pressures (66%), and social media (64%). But half of teachers said they have not received any training on children’s mental health.
Teacher Rebecca Thompson, a special needs coordinator, told the union’s conference in Birmingham: “We have to wait until children are in crisis before they can access help.
“Primary schools are seeing eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal tendencies. We cannot and should not let children get to crisis point.”
The Department for Education said: “All schools should be safe places for pupils. The Government has recently pledged £1.7billion to improve mental health support available to children.”