Four-year-old pupils suffer panic attacks

CHILDREN as young as four are suffering from mental health issues such as panic attacks, anxiety and depression, a poll has found.

Almost all teachers – 98 per cent – said they have come into contact with pupils experiencing mental health issues.

These youngsters were most likely to be teenagers, with 58 per cent of teachers saying they had seen issues in 15 to 16-year-olds and 55 per cent in 13 and 14-year-olds.

But 18 per cent said they had been in contact with four to seven-yearolds showing mental health issues, and 35 per cent had seen problems in youngsters aged seven to 11.

The survey by the NASUWT teaching union showed more than 70 per cent of the 2,000 members polled said social media played a part in youngsters feeling down, while others mentioned exam stress, family issues and bullying.

Around 90 per cent of those polled said they had experienced a pupil of any age suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, while 79 per cent were aware of a pupil suffering from depression and 64 per cent knew of a youngster who was self-harming.

Around half were aware of children with eating disorders, and a similar proportion knew of a youngster with obsessive compulsive disorder.

The union’s general secretary Chris Keates said: ‘It is clear that teachers and school leaders are seeing many more children and young people who are exhibiting the signs of serious mental distress.

‘Schools cannot address this issue alone and cuts to budgets and services in local authorities, health and education have all taken a heavy toll on the support available.’

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: ‘No child should suffer from mental health issues and we are investing a record £1.4billion to ensure all children get the help and support they need.’

Young women are far more likely to report mental health issues than young men. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics in 2014/15 show 26 per cent of women aged 16 to 24 reported anxiety or depression, compared to just 15 per cent of men.