Commenting on new research published by the Future Minds Campaign on the growing crisis in children and young people’s mental health, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“It has been clear to teachers for several years now that the mental health crisis affecting our young people is not going away. They know because they are the ones alongside support staff colleagues having to pick up the pieces and fill in the gaps for a system which is obviously broken. The devastating toll it has taken on the young people, their families, and their life chances is clear for all to see in this report.
“With a system creaking from underinvestment and lack of planning for prevention and early intervention the urgent action called for is welcomed. In the past politicians have tried to blame poor mental health on the pandemic but it is clear to people who work in schools with young people who are struggling that the causes are wider and much more complex than this.
“Social media companies should be held to account for harmful content on their platforms but the rapid review being called for must also address the wider causes in schools that are affecting mental health, a curriculum and assessment system that is not inclusive and increasingly unnecessary accountability measures.”