(Australia) 120 new teachers hired; "growing concerns of mental health issues" in kids as young as 5

Jan 29, 2018, (Australia) Yahoo News: Kids as young as five struggling with anxiety, teachers warn https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/38764765/wa-kids-as-young-as-five-struggling-with-anxiety-mental-health/ Western Australia will see 120 new full-time teachers hired to help with growing concerns of mental health issues among students as young as five. Education Minister Sue Ellery claims the Department of Education is already seeing "the increasing appearance of anxiety and mental health issues in school". Educators have said they are seeing issues like anxiety manifesting at a concerning young age. "We're seeing it in pre-primary children - kids turning five, six," Bramfield Park Primary School Principal Jayne Murray said. Premier Mark McGowan blames social media and has announced the government will hire 120 new full-time teachers to free up senior educators for other roles, such as coordinating mental health programs. The plan also includes hiring 300 extra education assistants and 50 Aboriginal education officers in regional Western Australia. Bramfield Primary School in Maddington already has a mental health program. The biggest issues that arise from the children are problems with friends and families. Concerned parents are urged to talk to their child's teacher.