Teen trouble

How to keep them calm

Arecent survey by the Association of School and College Leaders makes alarming reading. The survey of 338 school leaders found a marked increase in the number of pupils struggling with anxiety and stress over the past five years. Even more worrying, 79 per cent of head teachers reported increases in self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

The schools’ pastoral services are reportedly overwhelmed, even though many of the more serious issues are referred to child and adolescent mental health services. However, among those who referred pupils to NHS services, 53 per cent rated the response as “poor” or “very poor”.

The Government responded by proposing to invest £1.4 billion in mental health support for young people in England. But money allocated to mental health services has been reallocated elsewhere, so this must be ring-fenced.

It’s important, too, to ensure that services are appropriate – offering group support rather than individual sessions may save money, but joining a group of strangers is likely to feel too difficult for most highly anxious teenagers.

We also need to offer follow-up services. Offering a standard package, without such provision, means that for many, any gains made during treatment will not be maintained. Finally, allocating money for training therapists, without providing supervision for them, means that when therapists feel out of their depth, they’ll have nowhere to turn.

At home, how can parents help when their children suffer high levels of stress and anxiety? Start by resolving to listen fully when they want to talk, and don’t rush to judge. If they see that you value them enough to stop everything to listen, and if they know you’re listening with an open mind, they may well start to feel more hopeful, and that in itself will alleviate anxiety.

Secondly, limit screen use in the home – and that includes you as their role model. Unlimited screen use encourages the production of high levels of cortisol, and everyone will feel tense and easily distracted. It is particularly important to turn off screens 20 minutes before bedtime. This will improve sleep quality – and it’s easier for us to control anxiety when rested.

Thirdly, do all you can to open lines of communication with teachers. When everyone is in touch, chances are high that any serious problems will be picked up early.

Finally, praise your children for the effort they put into schoolwork, more than for their results. Praising effort, instead of focusing on what they achieve, will help them feel calmer and more in control. MIND HEALING