A new report (external link) from the education and youth ‘think and action-tank’ LKMco and the school mental health organisation Minds Ahead looks into the scale and causes of youth mental health issues.
The report finds that “75% of mental health problems begin before the age of 18” and that “ONS data shows that suicide is the leading cause of death, for five to 19 year olds”. Whilst there is increasing concern about youth mental health within the education and health sectors, the debate continues about how much of a role schools should play in tackling the issues.
The report highlights that “school leaders, including governors [and trustees] have the power to set the climate within their schools and to place pupil wellbeing at the heart of their decisions”. Recommendations for governors and trustees include:
- “School leaders should be true to their moral purpose and prioritise pupil needs in the face of perceived accountability pressures, so that decisions are taken with due consideration for their impact on pupil and teacher wellbeing.”
- “Schools should review potential risk factors for pupil wellbeing within their school community.”