Fears over growing mental health crisis among pupils
A mental health crisis among children is growing while schools remain closed during the pandemic, an MP has warned.
Jane Stevenson MP said many young people were dealing with feelings of isolation, concerned about falling behind with their school work and worried about exam grades.
The Wolverhampton North East MP has urged Ministers to beef up support for those who are struggling during the lockdown.
Schools have been closed to most pupils since the end of last term in December, and will not open until March 8 at the earliest.
Ms Stevenson recently met with the city's youth MPs, Ruby Cochrane and Tutsirai Rukarwa, to discuss issues affecting young people, including mental health.
She told the Commons: "I am increasingly concerned about the mental health of our young people while schools remain closed.
"Many young people are struggling with feelings of isolation and are worried about falling behind with school work.
"They are anxious that that will impact their future exam success, their choice of university and their career path. What measures will the Government take to really support these people with their mental health?"
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “We are very aware and concerned about the impact that the pandemic has had on the mental wellbeing of so many children in our schools, or at home, trying to learn remotely.”
He also said the Government had invested £8 million in a programme to boost teacher and pupil wellbeing while schools are closed, which is run by mental health experts.
Children’s mental health has deteriorated as a result of the pandemic, according to a study by the Education Policy Institute (EPI).
It said researchers fear “the increased isolation seen over the last year risks causing long-term damage to the wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of young people."
Ms Stevenson is encouraging young people struggling with their mental health to seek support through charities such as YoungMinds.
