Young people feeling the strain as pressure mounts
Exam stress, financial worries and the growth of social media are all affecting the mental health of young people in Wales. Here, Dr Mair Parry of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), explains what needs to be done to tackle the prob
Every child grows up thinking life is hard – but in recent years pressure on young people has grown to unprecedented levels. There’s the pressure of social media and exam stresses from SATS in primary school right through to GCSE and A-levels.
There’s pressure to attend university – most leaving with debt equating to a small mortgage – and the jobs anticipated upon graduating are often hard to come by.
It’s also difficult for young people to get on the property ladder, or earn enough money to privately rent, meaning they rely on their families much longer.
Welsh teenagers have among the poorest life satisfaction rates across the UK, and our own research shows mental health is an area of major concern for children and young people.
With the difficulties this generation faces, it’s no wonder they are feeling the strain. Issues around self-esteem and self-confidence and lack of support in both primary and secondary schools are a particular worry.
EQUIPPING CHILDREN TO COPE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
It was recently reported that Ysgol Pen y Bryn in Colwyn Bay, in Conwy, introduced mindfulness – a form of meditation – as a way of helping pupils look after their own stress levels and mental health at school, citing clear benefits for pupils.
This is a great example of local innovation, and, at a time when school budgets are stretched, provides an example of what can be done to support good mental health.
But for those schools without mechanisms like these, worries remain.
Welsh Government can help address these concerns by taking immediate steps to embed statutory and comprehensive personal, social and health education programmes (including sex and relationships education) across all primary and secondary schools – something young people have told us they want.
These programmes must foster social and emotional health and wellbeing, through building resilience, and, specifically, tackling issues around social inclusion, bullying, drug and alcohol use and mental health.
They will undoubtedly better equip children to cope with mental health challenges in their teen and adult years.
PREVENTION MUCH EASIER THAN CURE
It isn’t just young people who are worried about their mental health – children’s doctors like me are concerned about the mental health of children and young people, too.
We know there is a huge burden on health services in Wales, with long waiting times for child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) appointments and reports right across the UK of children’s units unable to cope with patient demand.
It’s worrying for families when they need a service but can’t access it. Services need more money, but at a time when money is tight, we need to think of other ways to alleviate the pressure. One example is through prevention.
Half of adult mental health problems start before the age of 14, and 75% start before the age of 24.
Early identification and early intervention are essential in ensuring that young people can achieve their potential.
Without it, these children are at future risk of alcohol and drug misuse, self-harm, neglect and, in extreme cases, at risk of suicide.
That’s why we’d like to see professional bodies representing all those working with children in health, social care, education, criminal justice, and community settings equip their members with the necessary tools to identify mental health issues so they can act early.
By doing so, problems are less likely to escalate, giving the child and their family a healthier, happier life and freeing up services for those who require more support.
We’re not the only ones to voice these thoughts. The National Assembly for Wales’ Children, Young People and Education Committee, recently published a report which called for a step change to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children in Wales.
It called for emotional and mental health to be fully embedded in the new curriculum and to make sure that anyone who works with children and young people are trained in emotional and mental health awareness. Its key message was that the Welsh Government should make the emotional and mental wellbeing and resilience of children and young people a stated national priority.
As doctors working with children and young people, we hope that the Welsh Government will respond with a commitment to deliver these recommendations.
GROWING UP IN A DIGITAL WORLD
Children are digital natives and today’s generation uses the internet like no other.
It provides many benefits – encouraging friendship and support, creating awareness and providing opportunities to learn and develop.
However, it can also pose a substantial threat to child safety, capitalising on vulnerabilities and exposing children to dangers of online grooming and bullying.
For my generation, bullying could stop at the school gates. Now children are exposed to it seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
We know one in four children have experienced something upsetting online, and around one in eight young people have been bullied on social networking sites, and at times, with chilling consequences.
WalesOnline reported last year on two teenage deaths just days apart linked to cyber bullying – Nyah James, a 14-year-old from Swansea and Megan Evans, 14, from Milford Haven, both taking their own lives.
At the end of the year it was reported that the number of malicious communications such as cyberbullying, trolling and death threats recorded by Welsh police forces more than doubled in a year.
In partnership with the NSPCC, we wrote to central government asking for tighter online restrictions to protect children like Nyah and Megan from harm. We’re calling for a law that requires social media giants to keep young people safe on their sites by holding them legally accountable for:
■ Transparently reporting the actions they take to safeguard young people and support young people when something goes wrong; and
■ Taking steps to actively identify illegal and harmful behaviour and protecting children from it.
IT’S A BALANCING ACT
For children to lead happier, healthier lives, they must get the balance between the internet – with relevant safeguards in place – and human interaction right.
Similarly, school leaders must ensure supportive education and coping mechanisms for all children is provided and those working with children must be given the tools to help spot the signs of mental ill-health.
It’s a balancing act, but this will help reduce the burden on services and provide the support this generation need as they work their way through a challenging, modern world.