Mental health specialist in every school....

I feel it is an indictment of society today that so many young people have mental health issues. We are not blameless, too much pressure is put on children from the minute they are born.
" my baby walks,talks,sleeps through earlier than any other"
Come school "X is in set 1 for everything, gets fantastic results in everything"
The poor children are held in comparison all the time.
All my 6 GC are in broken marriages and it has affected them. I am so sad for them and most children today. Expectations are totally unreasonable.

My DGD was finding school difficult due to a group of girls who were friends one day and fell out the next and were generally unkind. My DD and I were impressed with the way her School has a Counsellor for the pupils, and on her advice the school did let my DGD move classes, and the problems went away. They do not live in this country, but I thought it good that a 12 year old could talk about her feelings without special referrals etc having to be made, it was just part of the school service.
So I hope something similar can be developed here so young people at a vunerable time can find a safe person to talk to.

I would have thought mental health issues also come from broken family situation where children are subjected to all kinds of problems not encountered by children with a stable family arrangement.

Children just seem to have so much to try and live up to these days. So called celebrities splattered all over the television and internet, bragging how rich and beautiful they are. Twig thin girls (and boys)who have never done a days work in their lives and are rich and famous for being rich and famous. Everyone telling them they "must do well, to get a good job". Then you have peer pressure, drink, drugs and bullying. No wonder more and more young people suffer from mental illnesses.

Sounds like my DGD Luckygirl she is almost eating, sleeping and breathing the bl**dy things. I am so angry. Can't blame the school who are only trying to help the children do well but what purpose do they serve? Other than to stress young children out.

Just been chatting to a Mum whose DD cannot sleep because of the SATs and this is in a school where I am governor and it is played down in a big way. No need for her to be so worried - the school take a very relaxed approach and she is a child who is very bright.

If my childern were of SATs age I would refuse to allow them to take them. No question.

Meant to add. How rubbish that an 11 year old is bogged down with worry.

I feel so sorry for some children today. They have so much on their plates don't they?

My DGD (11) is past herself with worry about her forthcoming SATS. She is a hard worker and her teacher predicts she should be fine, but who knows? On top of this she does not have a secondary school to got to, other than the one miles away and two buses, offered by our LEA. More worry. She is terrified about September and insists she will not go to the offered school. More worry.

TM seems obsessed with grammar school and free schools when she should be looking at providing places for children within existing schools.