It is recorded in Young Mind’s statistics on young people’s mental health that 1 in 10 children to young adults aged 5-16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. That nearly 80,000 children and young adults suffer from severe depression. A more poignant factor stated on their statistics is that “more than half of all adults” were diagnosed during their childhood years but less than half were treated appropriately at the time.
Throughout my school life I have experienced the unsurprising pressure that comes with academic studies. This has intensified since growing into Year 12, Year 13 – Sixth Form. And I am not alone. There is an inherent expectation upon students to attain a certain grade (the highest: A*, A, B) in order to be accepted into a Russell Group. This is down to the data in which these applicants and entries Russell Groups gain from my school, how it reflects the school as a better place – a more successful place. Consequently, this pressure is greater when put upon those suffering from any mental health disorder. Due to the negative stigma around mental health that we are conditioned to have, there is less of a focus on getting better. As a result, there are less people coming forth and expressing their concerns over their mental health.
It has been highlighted by several news outlets such like the Telegraph, the Guardian, and the BBC just how little support there is provided in the majority of UK secondary and primary schools for young adults and children Though, it must be stated that there are undoubtedly ‘Wellbeing’ on sites at few schools in the UK. I know that there is a clinic at my school. Yet, the clinic is not often spoken about. Brushed over in assemblies, it is almost as though there is a stigma around those who do attend these clinics.
Hence, this is why perhaps some people do not attend these clinics; they are afraid of what others may think when members of the clinic come and ask for them during class or see them entering the clinic. This should not be the case. If there was a certain notion put across in the school that it is okay to ask for help – perhaps more young adults, more children would come forth. I, myself have felt ostracized due to my own personal issue with anxiety for example. It, ironically, made me more anxious to go and ask for help because I was so bothered by what people would think. Can you really consider that there is a wellbeing clinic on site if it is not put forth enough? Is there only so much the school can ‘care’?
It has already been “urged” that “mental health lessons should be on the timetable” according to Judith Burns (BBC News Education Reporter) dominantly due to the bullying that is experienced during adolescent years and the lack of knowledge children and young adults have about mental health issues. Albeit, the NHS and the Department of Education have come together to launch a “multimillion” pound joint mental health scheme for hundreds of schools. Backed up by £3m government funding. This would aid children and young adults in primary and secondary schools with their mental health. Granting them a “better access” to specialists. However, so much as this is a positive and progressive prospect this is only helping some county schools – not all. It should be all counties. This further highlights just the lack of full focus on most, if not, all schools and colleges having access to mental health specialists in order to keep children and young adults healthy and happy. More importantly, unashamed of their disorder(s) and more raring to tackle their issue.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Sir Anthony Seldon has put forward a notion on the University of Buckingham’s website that there should be a call or ‘well-being’ league tables very much alike to how there are league tables for exams. Seldon at a Tatler Schools Live conference said “As long as the only metric on which schools are being assessed is their exam performance, our schools will never have the incentive to take well-being as seriously as they should.” If the government were to pursue with this idea Seldon has put forth perhaps there will be more attention on well-being in several institutions. Competing for a healthier life sounds like a good concept to me.
As today is the 10th of October it is of great importance that you pay mind to global mental health issues. Today, I addressed the UK education system and its lack of true focus on mental health but there will be several countries that will be experiencing the same issue. Today of all days, we must realize the scrutiny that is often put upon those who are suffering. We must think of how to resolve the perpetual stigma around mental health – be it in the UK or elsewhere. Pay mind to your friends, your colleagues, the people in your class. They might need somebody to listen, especially when higher positions and society does not.
