A report published today by Education Policy Institute and the Prince's Trust shows the difficulties children face with their mental health and wellbeing as they reach adolescence, and how the pandemic has affected them.
In response to the report, Barnardo's Chief Executive Javed Khan said: "The coronavirus pandemic has felt like a lifetime for children and young people, and the negative effects could last a real lifetime if they do not have the right mental health support.
"Today’s research from the Education Policy Insitute and the Prince's Trust highlights the range of factors that contribute to children and young people’s experiencing poor mental health – all of which are exacerbated by the pandemic.
"We owe it to all children struggling with their mental health to use the pandemic as a catalyst for change and build a system that is radically better than the one we had before.
"That means moving towards an inclusive approach to children’s mental health and wellbeing that embraces holistic support in schools and the community, digital services and alternative therapies alongside clinical care – with children and young people having their say in how these services are run. Support for children and young people must help them with all the factors that promote good mental health and wellbeing such as having positive relationships with friends and family, engaging in positive activities, hobbies and exercise and living in safe, stable homes.
“Government must take the lead in this, but schools, communities and charities have a crucial role to play too. We must all work together, across sectors, to make the changes needed to help children recover from the trauma of the pandemic and move on to a positive future.”