June 19, 2018, Irish Times: Children as young as four presenting with anxiety and self-harm https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/children-as-young-as-four-presenting-with-anxiety-and-self-harm-1.3536535 Significant numbers of primary school children as young as four are presenting with serious mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression and self-harm, according to a major new study. The findings, based on a survey of more than 1,000 school principals, throws new light on the extent and range of emotional problems young children are facing in schools. The vast majority of principals reported problems among schoolchildren relating to “general family issues” (86 per cent), separation or marital breakdown and anxiety (both 79 per cent). Bullying (54 per cent), cyber-bullying (37 per cent), self-harm, depression (both 28 per cent ), suicidal ideation (23 per cent ) eating disorders (15 per cent) and sexual identity issues (9 per cent ) were also cited as significant issues. The Dublin City University study, which included interviews with principals and counsellors, finds school leaders felt ill-equipped to respond to the complexity of children’s needs. It recommends the urgent establishment of a nationwide primary schools’ counselling service…. “They can’t simply turn a blind eye to what they are being confronted with on a daily basis,” she said. “Teachers are really struggling to help children. We know that addressing children’s psychological difficulties enhances their learning experience, but the extent and range of difficulties that children are presenting with in school needs urgent attention, not only to improve their educational chances but to help them deal with their emotional struggles”. The report, funded by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, is due to be launched by the Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon on Wednesday. Chief executive for St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Paul Gilligan, said Irish research suggests that up to one in three Irish children under 13 experience mental health difficulties. “This report shows that mental health supports in school are vital. Now, more than ever, children are dealing with complex and challenging issues which have a significant effect on their wellbeing,” he said….
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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