At least 10 per cent of children in our primary schools today suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder – that’s roughly three in every classroom.
These problems have many origins, but some are a direct manifestation of stress. And this is only the tip of the iceberg: many children who do not have a diagnosable mental disorder are also stressed
It was not always so. The evidence suggests that stress levels in the very young have risen sharply over recent decades, more than doubling since the 1980s.
This epidemic of stress matters. Some stress is, of course, healthy, even stimulating – a necessary part of normal life. But excessive stress of the kind too frequently found in our young today is damaging. It is noxious in itself, it undermines the ability to concentrate and learn, to play and to relate to others, form friendships; left unresolved such stress can undermine physical and mental health, both in the short-term and in the long-term.
Register now, read forever
Thank you for visiting Headteacher Update and reading some of our content for professionals in primary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.
What's included:
-
Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcasts
-
New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday
Already have an account? Sign in here