- New figures released for Children’s Mental Health Week reveal the impact of the pandemic is still being felt in schools – with 95% of staff seeing an increase in anxiety levels among pupils
- Few school staff (23%) felt they could regularly access specialist support for pupils who need it, and this is having a negative impact on school life, including pupils’ ability to engage in learning and staff wellbeing
- Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2022 is themed around growth, as schools focus on recovery
The vast majority of staff working in UK schools (95%) have witnessed increased levels of pupil anxiety since the start of the school year, in contrast to a normal autumn term before the pandemic. That’s according to a new poll of education professionals released by children’s mental health charity Place2Be and school leaders’ union NAHT, ahead of Children’s Mental Health Week 2022.
The survey of 1,130 school leaders, teachers and other staff working in primary and secondary schools1, reveals the challenges they are still facing, even as some are suggesting that ‘the end of the pandemic is in sight’2.
Those surveyed have also seen an increased prevalence of other mental health issues among pupils this school year, with 86% noting an increase in low self-esteem, 76% in depression and 68% in sustained feelings of anger. For staff working in secondary schools, 72% have noticed an increase in self harm, 61% in suicidal thoughts, and 56% in eating difficulties among pupils.
Only 23% of staff said they had regularly3 been able to access specialist support for pupils with mental health needs, leaving a majority of children and young people struggling without access to the support they need.
School staff highlighted the wider impact on many aspects of school life. A large majority of school leaders and staff said it has negatively affected pupils’ ability to engage in learning (91%), pupils’ behaviour (87%), and pupils’ progress (86%). There has also been an impact on teachers and staff themselves – with 91% noting a negative impact on staff workload and capacity, and 89% on staff wellbeing.