A recent survey conducted by Office Max among 335 school staff, including counsellors, teachers, and principals, has revealed a significant increase in the need for mental health support within educational institutions.
According to the survey, 60% of respondents reported a surge in demand for student counselling services, highlighting the growing need for such support. Disturbingly, 49% of those surveyed were unaware of free counselling services available outside of schools, while 38% expressed the opinion that school counselling services do not adequately meet students’ needs.
Debbie Stanaway, Head Counsellor at Pinehurst School, described her experience of handling this surge in demand. She stated, “Basically, I’m back-to-back with students, not having a break during the day, working through morning tea and lunchtimes. You get to a point that you’re just triaging, so you’re not actually doing a proper full counselling service.” Stanaway noted an increase in at-risk students and those struggling with their mental health, particularly due to anxiety.
Concerns are rising among professionals about counsellors burning out as their workloads intensify without corresponding support. Stanaway emphasized the need for more counsellors in schools to address this pressing issue.
The survey respondents attributed the heightened demand for counselling to a spectrum of complex issues. These include post-pandemic anxiety, the impact of social media, cyberbullying, exposure to violence, drug-related problems, involvement in criminal activities, and economic challenges such as poverty and hunger.
Jo Harrison, General Manager for Child and Family Services at Barnardos, highlighted the stress caused by poverty, leading to increased anxiety and difficulties in managing conflicts and violence within families.
In an effort to bridge the gap, Barnados encourages children to contact their helpline, 0800 What’s Up. This helpline, specifically designed for five to 19-year-olds, offers regular counselling sessions with trained professionals. Ban Al Gailani, Team Leader at 0800 What’s Up, noted an uptick in calls, particularly regarding emotional and psychological issues among young people. A recent promotion of the helpline on TikTok led to a substantial increase in calls, underlining the importance of accessible mental health support for students.
As mental health challenges continue to evolve in schools, professionals are urging students to seek help and utilize available resources to address their mental well-being.
