School children believe they can cultivate “more-needed grit” to enhance mental health support and thrive beyond their academic years.
Bridget Phillipson and Wes Street announced plans to increase mental health assistance in schools, reaching nearly one million children across the UK.
When asked about the term “grit” on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Phillipson responded:
“Today’s youth confront many challenges that differ significantly from what I experienced. The Secretary of Health and I are revealing that one million young people will now have access to school mental health support teams.”
“This allows younger individuals to seek help early when they are struggling, connecting them with trained professionals who can effectively address their needs.”
The initiative involves aiding teachers in recognizing students who require extra support, conducting group sessions focused on anxiety and low moods, and offering individualized help to those who fall short of NHS referral criteria.
This support aims to improve school attendance, which has seen a decline.
“By utilizing NHS-led, evidence-based strategies during these formative years, we can prevent crises while also fostering essential grit in the upcoming generation,” she added.
“In today’s increasingly digital landscape, children face intricate challenges that were absent in our own childhoods.”
Currently, around 20% of young people in the UK report experiencing some form of mental health issue annually, a rise from 14% in 2017, according to the minister.
A recent government study highlighted a troubling and growing correlation between mental health struggles and children’s school attendance, revealing that those with lower attendance earn, on average, £10,000 less by age 28 compared to their peers with near-perfect attendance.
