BBCJane Graham has been a school nurse for nearly 20 years – and during this time the nature of her work has completely changed. “When I started, the majority of the support we provided was for physical health, like asthma, allergic reactions and injuries,” she says. “Now it’s mental health.”
She has seen a surge in schoolchildren struggling. “It really impacts pupils at secondary school, but some are as young as seven,” she explains.
“We’re seeing children with depression, anxiety and stress – and that’s leading to panic attacks, self-harm and eating disorders. They’re not making it to school or are so anxious they cannot attend classes.”
GPs, youth workers and social workers I have spoken to shared similar stories, with many pointing out that mental health cases in the young are rising in ever greater numbers.
One…