Appendix A: Further information and sources of support about common mental health issues

### Prevalence Prevalence of Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

- § in 10 children and young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder § in 10 children and young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder - that is around three children in every class.
- § 1 in every 12 and 1 in 15 children and young people deliberately self-harm. § 1 in every 12 and 1 in 15 children and young people deliberately self-harm.
- § has been a big increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospital § has been a big increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospital because of self-harm. Over the last ten years this figure has increased by 68%.
- § than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed in childhood. Less § than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed in childhood. Less than half were treated appropriately at the time.
- § 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression. § 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression.
- § number of young people aged 15-16 with depression nearly doubled between the 1980s § number of young people aged 15-16 with depression nearly doubled between the 1980s and the 2000s.
- § 8,000 children aged under 10 years old suffer from severe depression. § 8,000 children aged under 10 years old suffer from severe depression.
- § or about 290,000 children and young people have an anxiety disorder. § or about 290,000 children and young people have an anxiety disorder.
- § of children in care have behavioural or emotional problems - these are some of the most § of children in care have behavioural or emotional problems - these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Below, we have sign-posted information and guidance about the issues most commonly seen in school- aged children. The links will take you through to the most relevant page of the listed website. Some pages are aimed primarily at parents but they are listed here because we think they are useful for school staff too.

Support on all of these issues can be accessed via Young Minds (www.youngminds.org.uk), Mind (www.mind.org.uk) and (for e-learning opportunities) Minded (www.minded.org.uk).

### Self-harm

Self-harm describes any behaviour where a young person causes harm to themselves in order to cope with thoughts, feelings or experiences they are not able to manage in any other way. It most frequently takes the form of cutting, burning or non-lethal overdoses in adolescents, while younger children and young people with special needs are more likely to pick or scratch at wounds, pull out their hair or bang or bruise themselves.

#### Online support

SelfHarm.co.uk: www.selfharm.co.uk National Self-Harm Network: www.nshn.co.uk

#### Books

Pooky Knightsmith (2015) Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools: A Guide to Whole School Support and Practical Strategies. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Keith Hawton and Karen Rodham (2006) By Their Own Young Hand: Deliberate Self-harm and Suicidal Ideas in Adolescents. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Carol Fitzpatrick (2012) A Short Introduction to Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People Who Self-Harm. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

### Depression

Ups and downs are a normal part of life for all of us, but for someone who is suffering from depression these ups and downs may be more extreme. Feelings of failure, hopelessness, numbness or sadness may invade their day-to-day life over an extended period of weeks or months, and have a significant

10 | P a g e Mental Health and Well-Being Policy