Schools Transform into Pillars of Mental Health Support
In a recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology, researchers examined the characteristics of young people referred for treatment of depression and anxiety in a school-based mental health service in West Sussex schools during the pandemic. The study, titled "Characteristics of young people referred for treatment of depression and anxiety in a school-based mental health service," was conducted by E. Robinson, C. Chapman, F. Orchard, C. Dixon, and M. John, and can be found at this link.
The study analysed data from 485 referrals to Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in West Sussex schools in 2021. The results suggest that these low-intensity services are successfully widening the doorway to early help by taking in most referrals and providing support in a familiar school setting.
The study found that most referrals were secondary school pupils (57%), most were girls (61%), and most were White British (81%). Boys made up almost half of primary school referrals but dropped sharply by adolescence, where they represented less than a third. Interestingly, children from minority backgrounds scored similarly to White children in terms of anxiety and depression.
Teenagers reported more anxiety and depression than younger children, and girls reported more than boys. Most young people referred to MHSTs rated their symptoms as below or just on the borderline for clinical thresholds. This suggests that school-based mental health teams may prevent some young people from ever needing specialist services.
Acceptance rates were high - 77% of referrals were taken on. The study underscores the importance of listening to both the child and the caregiver, as each sees through a different lens, and the truth lies in the overlap. Parents and children often have different perceptions of a child's mental health symptoms, with parents often believing their child's difficulties meet clinical thresholds more than the child themselves.
The classroom can be the first lifeline in a young person's mental health journey. The study, conducted during the pandemic, provides valuable insights into the characteristics of young people seeking help for depression and anxiety within a school-based mental health service. However, it remains unclear how patterns will evolve post-COVID.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of school-based mental health services in providing early support to young people struggling with mental health issues. By offering low-intensity services in a familiar school setting, these teams can help to prevent the escalation of mental health issues and provide a crucial first step in a young person's mental health journey.
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