A LEADING charity has warned of a “growing child mental health crisis” unless emotional wellbeing is taken as seriously as reading and writing in the school curriculum.
Launching its Make it Count campaign, the Mental Health Foundation Scotland said treatment of mental health issues can no longer be seen as “extra-curricular.”
The Scottish Government announced more school-based counsellors, as well as mental health first aid training for teachers, in its Programme for Government but the charity wants a greater focus on prevention.
Toni Giugliano, policy manager at the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, added: “Our research shows that academic pressure is exacerbating many young people’s mental health.
“It’s unacceptable that teachers are still not trained in mental health.
School staff want the training to explore the real life issues that create distress – be it body image, relationship worries, exam stress or how to handle difficult conversations on social media.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here