9th October 2013 9:00
By Blue Tutors
A new paper published recently has argued that children should be given mental health assessments at schools in order to identify issues earlier on in life. This has sparked several debates on the right ways to define mental illness, whether such tests would have a positive or negative impact on children, and how such assessments would be administrated. It is naturally a contentious issue that will likely be discussed for many years. In the meantime, educators including teachers and private tutors often have to deal with the reality of students suffering from mental health problems, and are in a unique position to help or hinder their students. Private tutors who have one to one sessions with their students are particularly well placed to sport problems, and need to ensure that their responses are the best ones for their students.
Anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health problems suffered by teenagers, especially those who are struggling academically and find school stressful. Tutors can help by setting appropriate amounts of work, and allowing their students space to work rather than piling on extra pressure. Recognising when a student is taking on too much is a key skill for tutors, as is knowing when setting less work rather than more is what’s needed to help students progress. Anxiety in teenagers is common, and in most cases, if approached appropriately, does not develop into more serious problems. Tutors can help assuage students’ fears by allowing them space to discuss the issues they are experiencing, and breaking down their work into manageable amounts.
Another important skill that tutors should develop is the ability to discuss their students’ needs with parents. Dealing with parents can be tricky, especially if a tutor feels that their approach to their child’s learning is not what is best for the child. Having honest discussions with parents is vital, and a tutor should make sure that they have put forward their point of view clearly and concisely for parents to consider. Recognising the difference between a student who is experiencing a usual amount of stress, and a student who is suffering from a more serious mental health disorder is not easy, and it is not something that tutors are trained to do. If tutors suspect that their students have more serious underlying problems, a frank discussion with parents is the most appropriate step, followed by a recommendation that parents discuss options with their GP or a counselling service.