UK: 26% increase in student mental health counseling over the past 4 yrs

May 14, 2018, (UK) Guardian: Mental health referrals in English schools rise sharply https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/14/mental-health-referrals-in-english-schools-rise-sharply-nspcc The number of referrals by schools in England seeking mental health treatment for pupils has risen by more than a third in the last three years, according to figures obtained by the NSPCC. The charity found that the number of schools seeking professional help for students from NHS child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) was 34,757 in 2017-18, equivalent to 183 every school day. In 2014-15, there were 25,140 referrals. Three in four Britons felt overwhelmed by stress, survey reveals More than half (55%) of referrals over the four-year period came from primary schools. In almost a third of all referrals for which data was available, the child in question was denied specialist CAMHS treatment. While, in some cases it might not have been necessary, the NSPCC believes under-resourcing is also a factor. ... Alana Ryan, the NSPCC policy officer, said: “It is worrying there are so many children being deemed as needing some kind of mental health support and whether or not that is mental health support that meets the clinical support threshold, it’s still a need.” She said even where referrals were accepted, waiting times were often long. … … While some of the rise since then is likely to be a result of growing awareness among teachers, it also reflects a growing mental health crisis in young people. At least 10% of children and young people are thought to suffer from anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders or other mental health conditions. Soaring numbers of under-18s have sought NHS care for such problems over the past decade but, according to Public Health England, only a quarter who need help get it. The NSPCC’s Childline service has reported a 26% increase in the number of counselling sessions with children about mental health issues over the past four years, with some saying they only received specialist support when they reach crisis point. “When children come through to us, they speak about things like exam pressures, social media and not being able to get into specialist services, asking that we intervene on their behalf,” said Ryan. The NSPCC suggests the high number of referrals from primary schools could reflect a lack of funding and services to support children in those settings. …