Four-year-olds battling anxiety say teachers

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 say they have come into contact with pupils who are 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-yearolds. But nearly a fifth of those polled by the NASUWT teaching union ahead of its annual conference in Manchester said they had been in contact with four to seven-year-olds showing mental health issues, and over a third had seen problems in youngsters aged seven to 11.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates warned there is concern among teachers about a gap in the availability of experts and counselling to help children with mental health needs.

Ms 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. Teachers and school leaders take very seriously their duty of care to their students and it is clear there is a great deal of concern in the profession about the gulf in the availability of expert physiological support and counselling for pupils with mental health needs.”

She added: “The Prime Minister earlier this year pledged to improve mental health support for pupils. However, 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.”