Many teachers take on mental health care for students

Teachers play a key role in supporting students’ mental health, according to a survey released by YoungMinds on October 10, as many students do not receive support from the National Health Service (NHS).

A national survey found that three out of four teachers put their students’ mental health needs ahead of their teaching at least once a week, according to The Guardian on October 10. Specifically, teachers have to pause lessons to help a struggling child or adjust teaching methods.

The charity YoungMinds published the results of a survey of 1,002 primary and secondary school teachers. About 24% of teachers said some of the students in their classes needed mental health support.

James Bowen, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said many schools lacked mental health services because of inadequate funding.

“With thousands of young people waiting for mental health support, staff at the school have no choice but to step in and help as much as they can. Poor mental health among school-age children is at an alarming rate. Schools do not have enough NHS services,” said one teacher.

Another teacher said: “We are in a mental health crisis for pupils and they are not getting any support from the NHS.”

More and more students need mental health care

THE GUARDIAN SCREENSHOT

According to YoungMinds, 78% of teachers say their students' mental health has gotten worse since they started teaching. As a result, nearly 90% of teachers say they have had to take on additional mental health support duties for their students.

Additionally, 74% of teachers felt that poor mental health care was affecting students' ability to learn.

Laura Bunt, CEO of YoungMinds, called on the government to "urgently deliver on its commitment to provide professional mental health support in schools nationwide".

Responding to the news, an NHS spokesperson said that 40,000 additional mental health workers had been recruited. The spokesperson added that the NHS was planning to ensure that one in two pupils could access mental health care in the classroom by spring 2025, earlier than the original target.

Earlier, the UK Parliament's Children's Committee released data showing that 949,200 children and young people needed NHS mental health services in the 2022-2023 academic year. However, up to 270,300 children were waiting for support, with waiting times ranging from 4 to 147 days.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/anh-nhieu-giao-vien-kiem-nhiem-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tam-than-cho-hoc-sinh-185241011174811079.htm